Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe

If you’re craving a dish that’s both comforting and packed with flavor, you’ve got to try this Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe. It’s a total game-changer for anyone eating Paleo or Whole30—and honestly, even if you’re not following a specific diet, you’ll love how tender the chicken is and how the sauce perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and a little kick of heat. Trust me, once you make this, it becomes your new favorite weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe come together like a team of flavor MVPs. Each one brings a purpose—whether it’s enhancing texture, adding natural sweetness, or delivering that iconic sesame aroma. Shopping tip: try to source good-quality tapioca or arrowroot starch and fresh medjool dates for the best sauce texture.

• Water: Helps blend and cook the sauce smoothly without extra calories.
• Medjool Dates: Natural sweetener that gives the sauce a rich caramel-like flavor without refined sugar.
• Coconut Aminos: A soy-free, Paleo-friendly alternative to soy sauce that adds that umami depth.
• Rice Vinegar: Brightens the sauce and balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Arrowroot Flour or Tapioca: Thickens the sauce while keeping it glossy; also used for coating chicken to create crispy texture.
• Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way to infuse that distinct sesame flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savory notes without overpowering the other flavors.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but they give a subtle heat that wakes up the dish.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Juicier and more forgiving than breast meat, which pairs perfectly with the crispy coating.
• Eggs: Helps the arrowroot stick to the chicken for that crispy crunch.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings that amplify flavors throughout.
• Avocado Oil or Refined Coconut Oil: High smoke point oils ideal for frying without ruining the taste.
• Sesame Seeds & Scallions (for garnish): Adds texture, aroma, and a fresh pop of color to the final dish.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you like it spicier, sweeter, or more garlicky, small tweaks can totally transform the dish to match what you’re craving on any given day.

• More Heat: I sometimes double the red pepper flakes when I want a spicier kick, and it never disappoints.
• Extra Sauce: If you like your chicken really saucy, feel free to double the sauce ingredients and save leftovers for drizzling on veggies.
• Different Protein: Tried this with chicken breast strips and even shrimp – works great, just adjust frying times as needed.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Sauce Magic

I start by blending the sauce ingredients—water, medjool dates, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, arrowroot flour, sesame oil, and garlic powder—except for the red pepper flakes. Using a high-speed blender really helps break down those dates so you get a silky smooth mix. Then, I pour it into a saucepan and bring it up to a simmer. Adding the red pepper flakes at this point lets the heat infuse without overpowering the sweetness. Be patient here—the sauce thickens as it simmers and develops that rich, caramel-like gloss you want.

Step 2: Prep and Coat Your Chicken

While the sauce is reducing, I get the chicken ready. I cut the thighs into one-inch pieces, drizzle with a bit of sesame oil, and sprinkle garlic powder for extra flavor. Then, I whisk up the eggs in one bowl, and in another, mix tapioca flour with salt and pepper. Each chicken piece gets dipped in egg, then coated in the flour mix—this combo is what gives the chicken that irresistible light crunch. Shake off any excess flour so it doesn’t get clumpy when frying.

Step 3: Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat about 1/2 cup of avocado or refined coconut oil in a big skillet until it’s hot but not smoking—tester chicken pieces should sizzle immediately. I work in batches to avoid overcrowding, frying the chicken about 3 minutes total. You’ll want to turn each piece a couple of times so it browns evenly. Remove cooked pieces to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. If the pan temperature drops, crank it up a bit before adding the next batch so you hold that perfect crispiness.

Step 4: Toss Chicken in Sauce and Garnish

Once all the chicken is fried, I gently reheat the sauce just until warm. Then it’s time to mix! Toss the crispy chicken in the luscious sauce, making sure each piece is well coated. Finally, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions on top—this adds nuttiness, freshness, and a little pop of color. I like serving mine over sautéed cauliflower rice, but it’s also fabulous with steamed veggies or a simple green salad.

How to Serve Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I always go with toasted sesame seeds and plenty of thinly sliced green onions—they brighten the dish, add crunch, and that unmistakable sesame flavor really shines through. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra red pepper flake for those who like heat. Fresh cilantro is a nice addition too if you want some herbal freshness.

Side Dishes

My favorite sidekick for this recipe is sautéed cauliflower rice—it soaks up the sauce beautifully and keeps the meal Paleo-friendly. Steamed broccoli or stir-fried green beans work well too if you want to add more veggies. If you’re not strictly Paleo, jasmine rice or a simple cucumber salad balance the flavors nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating the chicken over a bed of spiralized zucchini noodles or in lettuce wraps for a fresh, fun presentation. Adding a wedge of lime on the side gives guests the option to add some citrus brightness. Setting out extra sesame seeds and scallions at the table invites everyone to customize their own plate, which is always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping them apart prevents the chicken from getting soggy. When ready to eat, I reheat the sauce gently on the stove and warm the chicken in a skillet to bring back its crispiness.

Freezing

Freezing this Paleo Sesame Chicken works well, too! I freeze the cooked chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag, and the sauce separately in another container. This way, you can thaw just what you need. When you reheat, the chicken retains its texture surprisingly well.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I recommend warming the sauce slowly in a saucepan and reheating the chicken in a hot skillet with a splash of oil to crisp it back up. Microwaving tends to make the coating soggy, so I try to avoid that. This method keeps everything tasting fresh, like you just made it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe enough—it’s become one of my go-to meals whenever I want something healthy, comforting, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s a massive crowd-pleaser! Whipping up the sauce from scratch might sound intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to make it again and again. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe, just like I do.

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