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Air Fryer Sesame Chicken: Crispy, Sticky, and Perfectly Sweet

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This Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is crispy, juicy, and coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with boiled or egg-fried rice for a complete meal.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large skinless chicken thigh fillets (approx. 750g untrimmed or 600g trimmed), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 3 tbsp oil (vegetable or neutral)
  • 1½ tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 fresh cloves, minced)
  • 1½ 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, for garnish
  • Chopped spring onions (scallions), for garnish
  • Boiled or egg fried rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and cut into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a bowl, mix cornflour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss chicken pieces until evenly coated.
  3. Drizzle oil over coated chicken and mix until sticky and well coated.
  4. Place chicken in air fryer basket and cook at 190°C (375°F) for 15–18 minutes, shaking basket 2–3 times. Ensure chicken is golden and fully cooked. Work in batches if needed.
  5. Combine all sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 3 minutes, stirring every minute, or heat in a saucepan until slightly thickened.
  6. Toss cooked chicken in warm sesame sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions. Serve with rice.

Notes

  • Work in batches in the air fryer to avoid overcrowding and ensure crispiness.
  • Adjust honey and chilli sauce to taste for sweetness and heat.
  • Can use chicken breasts instead of thighs, adjusting cooking time as needed.
  • Author: lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired