Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- as needed cooking spray
For the Sesame Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In a third shallow bowl, add the cornstarch.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the cornstarch, ensuring it's fully coated. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Let the coated chicken rest for 15 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better and become crispier.
⏱️ 15 min
- 4
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375
- 5
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You will likely need to cook the chicken in batches. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Repeat with remaining chicken.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 375
- 7
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sesame sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Once all the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the warm sesame sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat evenly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Delicious with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- as needed cooking spray
For the Sesame Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In a third shallow bowl, add the cornstarch.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the cornstarch, ensuring it's fully coated. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Let the coated chicken rest for 15 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better and become crispier.
⏱️ 15 min - 4
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375 - 5
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You will likely need to cook the chicken in batches. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Repeat with remaining chicken.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 375 - 7
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sesame sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Once all the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the warm sesame sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat evenly.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Delicious with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.
⏱️ 2 min