Sesame Chicken Strips are a delicious, crunchy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. These tender chicken strips are coated in a crispy sesame seed breading and fried or baked to golden perfection, offering a delightful crunch with every bite. The sesame seeds add a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken, and they can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, like sweet chili or honey mustard. Easy to make and irresistibly good, these sesame chicken strips are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup sesame seeds (white or a mix of black and white)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying) or cooking spray (for baking)
- Optional: sweet chili sauce, honey mustard, or soy sauce for dipping
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken strips dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper.
- Set Up Breading Station: In three separate shallow bowls, set up a breading station. Place the flour in the first bowl, the beaten eggs in the second bowl, and a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken strip in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken strip into the egg, followed by the breadcrumb-sesame mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs and sesame seeds onto the chicken to ensure they stick.
- Cook the Chicken:
- For Frying: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken strips in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- For Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded chicken strips on a greased baking sheet and spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the sesame chicken strips hot with your favorite dipping sauce on the side.
These Sesame Chicken Strips are crunchy, flavorful, and versatile, making them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as an appetizer for any gathering!