Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Breast

Craving takeout-style sesame chicken but want it healthier and faster? This Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Breast is tender, juicy, and coated in a sticky, savory-sweet sesame sauce — all with less oil and in less time than traditional frying. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite Asian restaurant!

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s the perfect balance of quick, flavorful, and lighter than deep-fried sesame chicken. Using the air fryer means the chicken stays juicy inside with a crispy edge, while the homemade sesame sauce adds that irresistible glossy coating.

It’s also so much better than takeout — you control the ingredients, skip the heavy breading if you want to, and adjust the sweetness or spice to your taste. Plus, it pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or stir-fried veggies for a complete meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious air fryer sesame chicken breast:

For the Chicken:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces or strips
1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for a light coating)

For the Sesame Sauce:

¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional for extra flavor)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
1–2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1–2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

How to Cook Sesame Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes or strips. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cornstarch if using — this helps create a light crisp coating.
Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed). Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly golden.
Make the Sesame Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce (if using), and sesame oil in a small pan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
Combine: When the chicken is done, toss it in a bowl with the warm sesame sauce until evenly coated.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot over rice or noodles for a quick, tasty meal!

Pro Tip: For extra crunch, coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch and spray lightly with oil before air frying — they’ll crisp up beautifully without deep frying!