Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

This Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is crispy, flavorful, and so easy to make—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer! The air fryer gives the chicken that perfect crispy texture, while the sweet and savory sesame sauce elevates the dish to the next level. Serve it over rice or with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Crispy and Juicy: The air fryer makes the chicken crispy without all the oil from deep frying.

Quick & Easy: In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, restaurant-quality dish.

Customizable: You can add more heat with extra chile paste or adjust the sweetness to your liking.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)

2 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tsp minced fresh ginger

1 garlic clove (minced)

¾ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 large eggs (beaten)

1 cup cornstarch

For the Sauce:

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

1/3 cup brown sugar

¼ cup water

1 tbsp cornstarch

2 tsp sesame oil

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1-2 tsp chile paste (optional)

1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until well-coated. Allow it to marinate for 20 minutes or up to overnight for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Coating

In a small bowl, beat the eggs.

Place the cornstarch in another shallow dish.

Dip the marinated chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat with cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken

Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF and line the basket with parchment paper.

Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray or brush with oil to help them crisp up.

Air fry the chicken at 400ºF for 8-10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. After flipping, add more oil and cook for an additional 7 minutes until the chicken is crispy and golden brown.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

While the chicken cooks, heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

Once thickened, stir in the sesame oil and chile paste (if using) for some heat.

Step 5: Coat and Serve

Toss the crispy chicken pieces in the prepared sauce, making sure they’re fully coated.

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 376 kcal

Carbohydrates: 35g

Protein: 29g

Fat: 13g

Sodium: 1081mg

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 12g

Serving Suggestions:

Serve over a bed of steamed white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Pair with sautéed broccoli, snow peas, or a crisp Asian-style slaw for a complete meal.

For a fun twist, serve it in lettuce wraps with some crunchy veggies.

Enjoy your crispy, sweet, and savory Air Fryer Sesame Chicken—perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside!

More Articles You Might Like