Description
This Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is a lighter twist on a takeout favorite. It features crispy, golden chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sesame sauce—all with less oil and done in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
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1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1/3 cup cornstarch (or potato starch)
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Olive oil spray
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1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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1/4 cup orange juice
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2 tbsp hoisin sauce (or GF alternative)
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1 tsp ground ginger
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1 garlic clove, crushed
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1 tbsp cold water
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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1 tbsp sesame seeds
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Optional: sliced green onions, cooked rice
Instructions
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Toss chicken pieces in cornstarch until evenly coated.
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Preheat air fryer to 390°F and spray chicken with olive oil.
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Air fry chicken for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
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While cooking, combine soy sauce, sugar, orange juice, hoisin, ginger, and garlic in a saucepan.
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Bring sauce to a simmer, then whisk in a cornstarch slurry. Add sesame seeds and cook until thickened.
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Toss cooked chicken in sauce and serve over rice with garnishes.
Notes
- Make it gluten-free by using tamari and GF hoisin.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Double the sauce for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired