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You are here: Home / Main Dish / Paleo Sesame Chicken – Whole30

Paleo Sesame Chicken – Whole30

January 22, 2019 By Tessa 23 Comments

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This paleo sesame chicken recipe is a healthy version of a classic Chinese take out meal with minimal effort!  Tender pieces of chicken fried in a crunchy sesame coating and slathered in a sweet and tangy Whole30 approved sauce…what’s not to love?!

pinterest ready two images of a square white bowl filled with crispy sesame coated chicken bites on top of a bed of cabbage slaw with red bell peppers and green chopsticks

When I was little, Chinese food was always one of my favorite family restaurant options.  We didn’t go out often, but when we did, Chinese food was always a regular choice.  I can only imagine at some of the ingredients used to create those deep fried chicken dishes I so loved.

MSG?  Likely.  Processed vegetable oils?  Most definitely. And sugar?  Probably a given!

Now, I know better.  I know the quality of the food I put IN to my body really does have an impact on my health and well being!  So to relive those nostalgic restaurant memories from my childhood…I create healthier versions of Chinese food everyone can enjoy!

Paleo Breading Options for Chinese Food:

  • In this recipe, I have chose to coat the chicken pieces in a simple breading of egg whites and cassava flour.  It is simple, straight forward, and totally delcious.
  • A mix of coconut and tapioca flours can also be used.
  • If you do rice, rice flour or sweet rice flour are both options.

How to Get a Sweet Flavor for a Whole30 Sauce?

I have used multiple version for a slight sweetness.  While honey or stevia work for a Paleo version, for those doing a Whole30, no sweeteners of any kind are allowed.  My two favorites for this sauce are pineapple (puree or juice) and apples (sauce or juice).  They lend a subtle sweetness to the end product that is equally addicting and totally delicious!!

 

As a general rule of thumb, if you are doing a Whole30, turn to your fruits to sweeten!  Some dishes and sauces lend themselves perfectly an all fruit sweetener!

vertical image of a sqaure white bowl filled with cabbaje slaw, fresh red pper, and crispy sesame coated chicken bites with green chopsticks atop a worn steel cookie sheet

Paleo Sesame Chicken Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve this atop any favorite Asian slaw!  I make a dressing of avocado oil, sesame oil, coconut aminos, and vinegar!  Topped with this sesame chicken, it becomes a full meal!!
  • Serve with some Whole30 Sriracha.  Regular ole Sriracha has sugar, plus some preservatives.  Here is a Paleo one sweetened with honey you could try, or this one is even Whole30 compliant!
  • Serve with your favorite cauli rice, or white rice as allowed
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Sauteed green beans

horizontal image of crispy sesame coated chicken pieces atop a bed of cabbage slaw and red peppers with a garnish of cilantro

More Paleo Asian Dinners to Try:

  • Paleo Baked Bao Buns
  • Quick Asian Stir Fry (using ground meat)
  • Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
  • Paleo Cashew Chicken @ I Heart Umami
  • Paleo Orange Chicken @ The Clean Eating Couple

Chinese Paleo Sesame Chicken Recipe:

square white bowl from overhead on light blue wooden board filled with cruncy fried chicken peices with a a bright cabbage slaw and green chopsticks
5 from 21 votes
Print

Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken

With tender pieces of crispy chicken and a sweet sauce coating the whole dish, this quick and easy meal will become a family favorite in no time!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword paleo chicken breast recipe, paleo chicken recipe, paleo sesame chicken, whole 30 chicken recipe, whole30 chicken thigh recipe, whole30 sasame chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 314 kcal
Author Tessa

Ingredients

Coating:

  • 1/3 cup cassava flour
  • 1/3 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt may use 3/4t sea salt and 1/2t garlic powder instead

Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast cut into bite size pieces
  • 3 tablespoons whipped egg whites or 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda this tenderizes the chicken

Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon mirin or white wine, omit for Whole30
  • 1 tablespoon honey OR a few drops stevia OR for Whole30 use 2 tablespoons apple or pineapple puree or juice

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the coating ingredients and set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until fluffy, and mix in the soda and water.  Stir in the chicken pieces, and set aside.

  3. Mix together the sauce ingredients, set aside.
  4. Preheat a heavy bottomed large skillet over medium heat ( I love my cast iron for crisping foods!)

  5. Prepare you assembly line next to you preheated pan: first the chicken, followed by the coating mixture.

  6. Once your pan is preheated, add 2 tablespoons coconut oil, swirling to coat pan evenly.
  7. Grab several pieces of chicken then press into the coating, placing coated pieces into the hot pan.  Do not overcrowd the chicken or it will not crisp properly, work in batches if necessary.

  8. Let the first side brown, then using tongs, flip the chicken pieces over to crisp the other side, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  9. Once the chicken is crisped and cooked through, pour the sauce into the hot pan, stirring to release any bits.  Let it simmer about a minute to reduce, then stir your chicken back into the sauce, coating evenly.
  10. Enjoy!!

Recipe Notes

nutritional info calculated using honey

Nutrition Facts
Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 314 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 108mg36%
Sodium 1130mg49%
Potassium 336mg10%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 125IU3%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 147mg15%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

pinterest ready two images of close up of crunchy coated chicken pieces atop an Asian slaw with a cilantro garnish

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jennifer says

    November 8, 2019 at 8:05 AM

    5 stars
    I love the breading option on this! Making recipes like this is the best way I have for getting me kids to eat all the veggies!!

    Reply
  2. Heather@EasyKetoDishes says

    November 7, 2019 at 6:38 AM

    5 stars
    Sesame chicken is a definite favorite of mine and I am loving this version!

    Reply
  3. Katie Beck says

    May 8, 2019 at 12:30 PM

    5 stars
    This looks as good as it sounds – we are always trying to lighten and healthy-up takeout meals. Great idea 🙂

    Reply
  4. Yang says

    April 11, 2019 at 7:18 PM

    5 stars
    I would love to try this sesame chicken recipe! I am going to take the great idea from your photos – serving this with a bowl of salad, instead of rice.

    Reply
  5. kelly @ a girl worth saving says

    February 4, 2019 at 8:24 AM

    Dang this Sesame Chicken recipe looks so good! I’ve been struggling to find some tasty new whole30 chicken recipes and your recipe fits the bill.

    Reply
  6. Katie says

    February 3, 2019 at 7:14 PM

    5 stars
    I love finding delicious new Whole 30 recipes that are delicious, and fill a craving- such as a craving for Chinese take out! This looks even better!

    Reply
  7. Hope says

    February 3, 2019 at 2:08 PM

    5 stars
    I love asian food so this is definitely going on my menu this week – yum!

    Reply
  8. Anne Lawton says

    February 3, 2019 at 9:45 AM

    5 stars
    this looks so good! I would eat it with a bowl full of that slaw. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  9. Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says

    February 3, 2019 at 8:00 AM

    5 stars
    This looks SO delicious! Thanks for the great recipe plus all the ways to serve it!

    Reply
  10. Meredith says

    February 3, 2019 at 7:44 AM

    5 stars
    My family loves sesame chicken! I can not wait to try your healthier recipe using pineapple juice!

    Reply
  11. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says

    February 2, 2019 at 4:42 PM

    5 stars
    Yum this looks delish, and that crispy chicken has my mouth watering!

    Reply
  12. STACEY CRAWFORD says

    February 2, 2019 at 9:38 AM

    5 stars
    I love this! The chicken is so crisp and delicious! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kiran Dodeja Smith says

    January 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM

    5 stars
    Yum! My kids are huge fans of Chinese foods, so I know they are going to love this. Love that it’s GF!

    Reply
  14. Jean says

    January 28, 2019 at 2:35 PM

    5 stars
    Those chicken pieces look SO crispy and tender! This looks amazing.

    Reply
  15. Joni Gomes says

    January 28, 2019 at 11:36 AM

    5 stars
    Looks delicious!! I am very eager to this this egg white coating trick!

    Reply
  16. Shelby @Fitasamamabear says

    January 28, 2019 at 9:01 AM

    5 stars
    I love how simple the sauce is!

    Reply
  17. Mimi says

    January 27, 2019 at 8:28 PM

    5 stars
    What not to love about this chicken?! It looks incredible and I bet it tastses even better!

    Reply
  18. Renee D Kohley says

    January 27, 2019 at 3:28 PM

    5 stars
    Ooo the coating looks absolutely amazing! YUM! I will put this on my dinner menu!

    Reply
  19. Susannah says

    January 26, 2019 at 3:38 PM

    5 stars
    Looks amazing — can’t wait to try!!

    Reply
  20. Megan Stevens says

    January 25, 2019 at 4:50 AM

    5 stars
    Wow, Tessa, SO yummy!! I love that coating you use for the chicken. The whole dish is beautiful! My family will love this.

    Reply
  21. Raia Todd says

    January 24, 2019 at 7:17 AM

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious! I love healthified versions of take-out food. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Laura Duffy says

    January 23, 2019 at 9:58 PM

    5 stars
    I looovvveee sesame chicken but haven’t had it for years. I’m looking forward to trying this healthy version!

    Reply
  23. Kelly says

    January 23, 2019 at 7:03 PM

    This looks like an amazing meal. I haven’t tried coating chicken with cassava flour but will now!

    Reply

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My name is Tessa, I am a momma and teacher who learned to cook allergy friendly foods when her third kiddo needed it.   Real food is my obsession. Gluten free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, and keto recipes for families. Read More About Me An My Family’s Real Food Allergy Journey Here.

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