Air Fryer Sticky Sesame Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring crispy, golden chicken pieces coated in a rich, sweet, and savory sesame glaze. This crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or as a party appetizer.
Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil spray
For the Sesame Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger
For Garnish:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Preparation Instructions:
- Prepare the chicken:
- In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray the chicken pieces with olive oil and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is golden and crispy.
- Make the sesame sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Coat the chicken:
- Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the sticky sesame sauce until well coated.
- Serve:
- Transfer the sesame chicken to a serving plate.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
Preparation Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Total time: 27 minutes
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving):
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 600mg
Key Notes
- For extra crispiness, cook the chicken in two batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more or less honey and sugar.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes.
Enjoy the irresistible “Air Fryer Sticky Sesame Chicken,” a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors! 🐓🍚✨