14 Crispy Sesame Chicken Recipes with Sauce

I still remember the first time I tasted sesame chicken at a bustling Chinese restaurant during a family road trip when I was a kid. The crispy, golden coating crackling under my teeth, drenched in that glossy, sweet-savory sauce studded with toasted sesame seeds—it was love at first bite. That memory has stuck with me, inspiring countless kitchen adventures over the years.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my home kitchen to recreate that magic without the deep-fryer guilt. Using air fryers, oven-baking tricks, and creative sauce twists, I’ve nailed crispy textures that rival takeout. In today’s fast-paced world, sesame chicken is a hero: it’s quick to make, packed with protein, and endlessly customizable for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Classic Honey Sesame Chicken

This timeless version features tender chicken bites coated in a crunchy sesame-panko crust and tossed in a sticky honey sauce. Ingredients (serves 4): 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (cut into bites), 1/2 cup cornstarch, 2 eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 garlic cloves (minced), sesame oil for frying. Steps: 1. Dredge chicken in cornstarch, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with panko-sesame mix. 2. Shallow-fry in sesame oil until golden (5-7 mins per side). 3. Simmer sauce ingredients for 3 mins, toss with chicken, and garnish with green onions. It’s a crowd-pleaser with balanced sweet-savory flavors, high in protein (30g per serving), and ready in under 30 minutes for busy evenings.

Benefits include its kid-friendly appeal and versatility for leftovers.

Spicy Sriracha Sesame Chicken

Amp up the heat with this fiery twist, where crispy chicken meets a bold sriracha-sesame sauce. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cubed), 1/2 cup flour, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sesame seeds, 1/4 cup sriracha, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, lime juice. Steps: 1. Coat chicken in flour-egg-sesame dredge. 2. Air-fry at 400°F for 12-15 mins, flipping halfway. 3. Whisk sauce over heat until thickened, coat chicken. Perfect for spice lovers, it boosts metabolism with capsaicin and delivers 28g protein per portion while keeping calories in check.

Garlic Butter Sesame Chicken

A fusion delight blending garlicky butter richness with nutty sesame crunch. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken tenders, 1/3 cup cornstarch, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 4 tbsp butter, 6 garlic cloves (minced), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey. Steps: 1. Bread chicken with cornstarch, egg, and sesame. 2. Pan-fry in butter until crispy (6 mins). 3. Sauté garlic, add soy-honey sauce, and glaze chicken. Rich in immune-boosting garlic and heart-healthy sesame, it’s comfort food with only 350 calories per serving.

Teriyaki Sesame Chicken

Sweet and umami-packed, this recipe uses a homemade teriyaki sauce for glossy perfection. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs, 1/2 cup panko, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 2 tbsp brown sugar, ginger (grated). Steps: 1. Coat and bake chicken at 425°F for 20 mins. 2. Reduce teriyaki ingredients into sauce. 3. Toss and broil for extra crisp. Low-effort with antioxidants from ginger, it’s gluten-adaptable and meal-prep friendly.

Orange Sesame Chicken

Bright citrus notes elevate this crispy favorite with a tangy orange sauce. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken bites, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 2 eggs, zest/juice of 2 oranges, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, red pepper flakes. Steps: 1. Dredge and deep-fry chicken (or air-fry). 2. Simmer orange sauce until syrupy. 3. Combine and sprinkle sesame. Vitamin C-packed from oranges, it’s a lighter take at 320 calories, ideal for weight management.

Lemon Sesame Chicken

Zesty and refreshing, this sauce cuts through richness for a lighter crunch. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast, 1/3 cup cornstarch-sesame mix, 1 egg, juice/zest of 2 lemons, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey. Steps: 1. Coat and pan-sear chicken. 2. Deglaze pan with lemon sauce. 3. Thicken and serve. High in vitamin C for immunity, low-fat, and cooks in 20 minutes.

Peanut Sesame Chicken

Nutty and creamy, blending peanut butter into sesame sauce for Thai-inspired flair. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs-sesame, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, chili flakes. Steps: 1. Bread and fry chicken. 2. Warm peanut-sesame sauce. 3. Toss gently. Protein powerhouse (35g/serving) with healthy fats for satiety.

Gochujang Sesame Chicken

Korean heat meets sesame crisp in this bold, fermented chili sauce version. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 1/2 cup flour, 1 egg, 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, rice vinegar. Steps: 1. Dredge and air-fry. 2. Mix and heat sauce. 3. Coat chicken. Probiotic benefits from gochujang, spicy metabolism boost.

Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken

Sticky-sweet with a chili kick, perfect for finger-licking fun. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 1/3 cup panko-sesame, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, lime. Steps: 1. Coat and bake. 2. Simmer sauce. 3. Glaze and broil. Quick, low-carb option with antioxidants.

BBQ Sesame Chicken

Smoky BBQ sauce fused with sesame for an American-Asian mashup. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken tenders, 1/2 cup sesame coating, 1 egg, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, honey. Steps: 1. Bread and grill/air-fry. 2. Brush with BBQ-sesame mix. 3. Finish under broiler. High protein, grill-ready for summer.

Pineapple Sesame Chicken

Tropical sweetness from pineapple juice in a crispy sesame shell. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, cornstarch-egg dredge, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar. Steps: 1. Fry coated chicken. 2. Reduce pineapple sauce. 3. Toss. Vitamin-rich, refreshing twist.

Broccoli Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry

Veggie-loaded with crispy chicken in sesame-ginger sauce. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 2 cups broccoli, sesame coating, 1/4 cup soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil. Steps: 1. Stir-fry coated chicken. 2. Add broccoli and sauce. 3. Wilt and serve. Fiber boost, one-pan ease.

Air Fryer Crispy Sesame Chicken

Healthier fry method with classic sesame sauce. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken bites, 1/2 cup sesame-panko, 1 egg, 1/3 cup honey-soy sauce. Steps: 1. Spray and air-fry 400°F 15 mins. 2. Toss in sauce. Oil-free crisp, 40% less fat.

Baked Sesame Chicken with Soy Glaze

Oven-baked ease with a savory soy glaze. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, sesame breadcrumb mix, 1/4 cup soy glaze (soy, mirin, sugar). Steps: 1. Coat and bake 425°F 25 mins. 2. Brush glaze last 5 mins. Hands-off, family-sized.

These 14 crispy sesame chicken recipes prove you don’t need takeout to satisfy those cravings—each one is simple, customizable, and bursting with flavor. Grab your apron, pick your favorite sauce twist, and whip up a batch tonight. Your taste buds (and family) will thank you!