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You are here: Home / 30 Minutes or Less / Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken – Stovetop & Air Fryer Method

Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken – Stovetop & Air Fryer Method

March 25, 2019 by Jean Choi 19 Comments

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Grab a copy of my new cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

Forget takeout and enjoy this delicious paleo & Whole30 sesame chicken at home with all the healthy ingredients. You can make it on the stovetop or the air fryer!

Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken

You all know I love me a really easy and quick recipe that’s healthy and perfect for weeknights. My work days are usually jam packed and spending a long time in the kitchen to make dinner is the last thing I want to to do at the end of the day.

Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken Recipe

This paleo and Whole30 sesame chicken is one of those perfect recipes for those busy days that takes just 30 minutes to make and it tastes so much better than takeout! Chicken pieces are coated in tapioca starch and fried in either the air fryer or the stovetop to make them crispy and delicious.

These chicken pieces are then tossed in a delicious salty, sweet sauce that’s been reduced and thickened to cover the chicken in a sticky and shiny coat. It’s just perfection in a bite!

Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken
Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken

Making It Whole30-Friendly

If you’ve ever tried sesame chicken at a Chinese restaurant, the sauce is usually sweetened with honey, but to make this recipe Whole30-friendly, I substituted the honey with 2 medjool dates.

While this might not seem like a lot, the coconut aminos also brings out the sweet flavor, especially when it’s cooked down. You’ll be surprised by how much this Whole30 sesame chicken tastes so much like the real thing!

If you are not doing the Whole30, feel free to use about 2-3 tsp of honey instead! Either way, I think you’ll love this quick and easy recipe that’s so tasty with some cauliflower rice (or regular white rice) and your favorite veggies! I love serving this with some steamed broccoli and it’s just the perfect meal every time.

Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken
Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken

Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken – Stovetop & Air Fryer Method

Forget takeout and enjoy this delicious paleo & Whole30 sesame chicken at home with all the healthy ingredients. You can make it on the stovetop or the air fryer!
5 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 432kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp tapioca starch
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil for stovetop method
  • Toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 pitted medjool dates
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a blender, and let it sit while you cook the chicken so the dates can soften.
  • Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with sea salt.
  • Sprinkle with tapioca starch and toss together until evenly coated.
  • STOVE TOP METHOD: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 6-7 minutes while turning every few minutes, until cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • AIR FRYER METHOD: Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F. Add the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside.
  • Blend the soaked sauce ingredients until smooth. 
  • Heat a pan over medium heat and add the sauce.
  • Once the sauce starts bubbling, start stirring while simmering for about 3 minutes until reduced and thickened.
  • Add the chicken to the sauce and stir to coat.
  • Remove from heat and sprinkle with toasted sesame seed and chopped green onions.
  • Serve with cauliflower rice or your favorite side.
Nutrition Facts
Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken – Stovetop & Air Fryer Method
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 432 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 143mg48%
Sodium 938mg41%
Potassium 481mg14%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 60IU1%
Vitamin C 0.7mg1%
Calcium 27mg3%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


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By Jean Choi | March 25, 2019

Comments

  1. Tessa says

    April 1, 2019 at 11:49 am

    5 stars
    This was a hit! So crispy and delicious, all the flavors melded wonderfully! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Renee says

    April 2, 2019 at 6:12 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for including the stovetop directions – we haven’t quite hopped on the air fryer train yet and I want to make these!

    Reply
  3. Cheryl says

    April 2, 2019 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    This chicken was so delicious!! Thank you for this recipe!! LOVE!

    Reply
  4. Megan Stevens says

    April 2, 2019 at 8:52 am

    5 stars
    It DOES look perfect. I love how you describe the sauce and the coated chicken, yum! Making!

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    April 2, 2019 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for my family a couple of days ago. Everyone loved it, even my kids (who are tough critics)! The chicken turned out super tender and the sauce was to die for!

    Reply
  6. Raia says

    April 2, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, yum. Sesame chicken is one of my favorite Chinese take-outs from childhood. I haven’t had it in aaages. Can’t wait to try this version! It sounds so easy!

    Reply
  7. paleoglutenfreeguy says

    April 3, 2019 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    That sauce! Love everything about it. And this looks so easy! Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  8. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

    April 3, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    5 stars
    I’m all about this chicken! So perfect for anyone even if they’re not following whole30!

    Reply
  9. Kelly says

    April 3, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    5 stars
    I don’t have an air fryer so I’m glad you included stove top directions. Looks amazing. I’m ready to dive in.

    Reply
  10. Susannah says

    April 4, 2019 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! Need to make this ASAP!

    Reply
  11. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says

    April 5, 2019 at 7:48 am

    5 stars
    So maybe I do need to get an air fryer, this looks so crispy and delicious and I love the idea of not having to actually fry things!

    Reply
  12. Hope says

    April 6, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    5 stars
    I loved the flavours in this dish! I made it on the stovetop and it turned out perfectly. Loved how quick it was to make!

    Reply
  13. Katie Beck says

    April 7, 2019 at 8:59 am

    This sounds awesome! I don’t have an air fryer, but stove top will work for me! My kids have really gotten into trying different Asian food, and we will be trying this for sure 🙂

    Reply
  14. Anne says

    April 7, 2019 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    I would not have thought to make something like this in an air-fryer, and love the idea. I love all of the healthy ingredients in this recipe!

    Reply
  15. Kiran says

    April 7, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    That sauce looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this – I have my air fryer out, so I’ll be making this this week!

    Reply
  16. tina says

    April 14, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    Yaaaaaaaas – a healthy version of american takeout! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
  17. Emily Workman says

    June 15, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good and easy to whip up! Definitely going to become a regular on our menu!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      June 16, 2020 at 11:02 am

      So glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  18. Emily Workman says

    January 12, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    So so so so good! My husband was devastated to hear we didnt have enough for leftovers!

    Reply

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Welcome!

I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

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