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AIR FRYER SESAME CHICKEN centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Olivia Farnsworth

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe Easy and Delicious

Enjoy a quick and tasty Air Fryer Sesame Chicken that features crispy chicken chunks coated in a flavorful sticky soy-sesame sauce. This easy Asian-inspired dinner comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for a family meal or a speedy weeknight treat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 455
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large skinless chicken thigh fillets (this is about 750g/1.65lbs untrimmed or 600g/1.3lbs once trimmed)
  • 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch in USA)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1.5 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or use 2 minced cloves garlic)
  • 1.5 tbsp Chinese rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
  • 4 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • sesame seeds
  • chopped spring onions (scallions)
  • boiled or egg fried rice

Method
 

  1. Trim the chicken thighs and cut them into bite sized pieces, then set aside.
  2. Combine cornflour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until each piece is evenly coated.
  4. Pour the oil over the coated chicken and mix well so it becomes sticky and well covered.
  5. Arrange the chicken chunks in the air fryer basket and cook at 190C/375F for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket three times during cooking to prevent sticking.
  6. Mix all sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 3 minutes on high, stirring each minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. After cooking, transfer the chicken to a bowl and coat thoroughly with the prepared sauce.
  8. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped spring onions on top and serve alongside boiled or egg fried rice.

Notes

  • To prepare the sauce on the stove, combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium, stirring until it bubbles and thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a day, then reheated before serving. For added nutrition, toss chopped veggies into the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking. Popular choices include peppers, babycorn, mange tout, or mushrooms. If you prefer less sauce, reduce the sauce ingredients by one third and shorten heating time by about a minute.