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1.30.21

Paleo Sesame Chicken {Whole30}

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Whole 30 No Added Sugar

This flavor packed Paleo Sesame Chicken is a healthier homemade version of a takeout favorite! It’s easy to make and contains no refined sugar, family approved and seriously tasty. Keep it Paleo and Whole30 compliant by serving over fried cauliflower rice or with your favorite stir fried veggies. 

After successfully making a seriously tasty Chinese orange chicken recipe a few weeks ago, I just knew a sesame version would be perfect!

This recipe was adapted from the orange chicken and I couldn’t be happier with the result.  Without using any sugar or grains of course!

We have crispy fried tender pieces of chicken tossed in a sweet/savory sesame sauce that’s sweetened with dates and has all the flavors you’re craving.

It lived up to my standard for a really good sauce – that you want to eat it with a spoon!  It’s not ready to share on the blog until I’m addicted to it, and this one is perfect!

What You Need to Make Paleo Sesame Chicken

I decided to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe to make sure the chicken stays juicy and tender.

The ingredients are listed in 2 categories – what you need for the chicken and what you need for the sauce:

Sesame Sauce:

  • water
  • medjool dates
  • coconut aminos
  • rice vinegar
  • arrowroot flour, or tapioca
  • sesame oil
  • garlic powder 
  • red pepper flakes

Chicken:

  • boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • sesame oil
  • garlic powder
  • tapioca flour, or arrowroot
  • fine sea salt and black pepper
  • eggs
  • Avocado oil or refined coconut oil, for frying
  • sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish

How to Make Paleo Sesame Chicken

Make the sauce first.  In a high speed blender, blend together all the sauce ingredients except for the red pepper flakes, until a smooth mixture forms, scraping down the sides to incorporate all the dates if needed.

Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk and heat for 2-3 minutes to a boil, then lower the heat to med-low to simmer.  Add the red pepper flakes, then simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens and reduces a bit (it should resemble a thick caramel).  

Place the arrowroot or tapioca in a shallow bowl along with the salt and pepper.

Whisk the eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Drizzle the chicken with the sesame oil and sprinkle with the garlic powder.  

Coat chicken pieces in whisked egg lightly, then toss in arrowroot starch, shaking off excess, and place in s bowl

Heat about 1/2 cup of oil in a large deep non-stick skillet. Once sizzling hot, work in batches to cook the chicken pieces, frying for about 3 minutes until crisp and golden, turning once or twice. 

Place chicken on a paper-towel-lined plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken, adjusting the temperature of the heat as needed and adding more oil if needed.

Gently reheat the sesame sauce and toss it with the chicken, then garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Best Side Dishes for Sesame Chicken

I love this served over simple sautéed cauliflower rice to keep it Whole30.

You can also opt for some stir fried veggies like broccoli, peppers, cabbage and anything else you enjoy.  Zucchini noodles would be good too if that’s your thing!

I hope you’re ready for a seriously tasty, healthier version of Sesame Chicken that’s bound to become a new favorite!

Grab your ingredients because it’s time to cook – let’s go!

Paleo Sesame Chicken {Whole30}

Paleo Sesame Chicken {Whole30}

This flavor packed Paleo Sesame Chicken is a healthier homemade version of a takeout favorite! It’s easy to make and contains no refined sugar, family approved and seriously tasty. Keep it Paleo and Whole30 compliant by serving over fried cauliflower rice or with your favorite stir fried veggies.
Author: Michele Rosen
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: asian
Keyword: chicken, Chinese, paleo, whole30
Servings: 6 servings
Print this Recipe
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review
4.32 from 35 votes

Ingredients

Sesame Sauce:

  • 2/3 cup water warmed slightly
  • 5 medjool dates pitted
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp arrowroot flour or tapioca
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste

Chicken:

  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1" pieces
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp

    garlic powder


  • 1 cup tapioca flour or arrowroot
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 eggs whisked
  • Avocado oil or refined coconut oil for frying

Garnish:

  • 2 Tbsps sesame seeds for garnish
  • Thinly sliced scallions for garnish

Instructions

Sauce:

  1. In a high speed blender, blend together all the sauce ingredients except for the red pepper flakes, until a smooth mixture forms, scraping down the sides to incorporate all the dates if needed.
  2. Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk and heat for 2-3 minutes to a boil, then lower the heat to med-low to simmer. Add the red pepper flakes, then simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens and reduces a bit (it should resemble a thick caramel).

Chicken:

  1. Place the arrowroot or tapioca in a shallow bowl along with the salt and pepper.
  2. Whisk the eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Drizzle the chicken with the sesame oil and sprinkle with the garlic powder.
  3. Coat chicken pieces in whisked egg lightly, then toss in arrowroot starch, shaking off excess, and place in s bowl
  4. Heat about 1/2 cup of oil in a large deep non-stick skillet. Once sizzling hot, work in batches to cook the chicken pieces, frying for about 3 minutes until crisp and golden, turning once or twice.
  5. Place chicken on a paper-towel-lined plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken, adjusting the temperature of the heat as needed and adding more oil if needed.
  6. Gently reheat the sesame sauce and toss it with the chicken. To serve, sprinkle all over with sesame seeds and green onion and and serve over sautéed cauliflower rice or your favorite veggies. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcal
Carbohydrates: 37g
Protein: 32g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 198mg
Sodium: 869mg
Potassium: 552mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 13g
Vitamin A: 171IU
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 64mg
Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @PaleoRunningMomma on Instagram and hashtag it #PaleoRunningMomma

Want More Homemade Paleo Takeout Recipes?  Try One of These!

Thai Shrimp Soup

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Chinese Orange Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken in the Instant Pot

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry 

Easy Beef Stir Fry 

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Paleo Running Momma!

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About Michele

More than a little into running and paleo recipes (yoga now too!) but I'm not here to rain on your grains (or anything else) so come along for the ride! I do a little too much of everything (except cleaning), and I enjoy laughing at myself. As long as I'm the one making the jokes, that is. Just kidding. So bring me your angst, your appetite and your frying pan and climb aboard!

Reader Interactions

Reader Reviews & Comments

  1. Angela says

    January 30, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    This looks delish!!!

    Reply
  2. Loreal says

    January 30, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for lunch today. Amazing as always. Thanks for another great, healthy alternative!

    Reply
  3. Chrys says

    January 30, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    This looks delicious! Do you think I could use the air fryer for this recipe? If so, what temperature should I set it to and for how long? Thank you!!

    Reply
  4. Marsha says

    January 30, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    3 stars
    Made this tonight and it was an absolute home run. Restaurant quality!!

    Reply
  5. Abbie Bedell says

    January 30, 2021 at 11:31 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE sesame chicken and haven’t had it for years- made this recipe tonight and it’s fantastic!!! Thank you for this recipe!
    I have your baking book and LOVE it- I hope there’s a cook book of some of your other amazing recipes in the works!

    Reply
  6. Hallie says

    January 31, 2021 at 6:34 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING! I’m allergic to dates so I substituted them for a few tbsp of maple syrup, came out perfectly!

    Reply
  7. Casey says

    January 31, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    Hi – just wondering what the exchange would be using honey instead of the dates? This looks amazing!

    Reply
  8. t rex game says

    February 1, 2021 at 2:46 am

    4 stars
    Thanks for the blog loaded with so much information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for.

    Reply
  9. Sue Jameson says

    February 2, 2021 at 7:08 am

    5 stars
    It looks so appetizing that I want to do it right now. But I need to get some ingredients ready to start.
    Thanks for this recipe and all your other recipes. I hope it turns out as delicious looking as the one in your picture.

    Reply
  10. Erika says

    February 2, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of our new favorites! This tasted just like takeout sesame chicken – a lot of recipes promise this but this one really delivered! It’s definitely getting added to our regular rotation.

    Reply
  11. Yvonne says

    February 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  12. Katie says

    February 7, 2021 at 6:46 pm

    1 star
    Prepared the whole dish and ended up having to toss it all and order takeout because not one of the 4 found it edible. This sauce is absolutely disgusting and tastes nothing like a sesame chicken.

    Reply
  13. Linda Van Liere says

    February 13, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    5 stars
    The best meal i’ve ever had! Will definitely make it again! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Carol says

    February 13, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    5 stars
    Was so tasty! Though next time will use something other than Steamed Veggies with it as it made it taste bad with a funky after taste. Sesame Chicken was awesome!

    Reply
  15. Danielle says

    February 27, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    Can you make the chicken in an air fryer? If so do you have instructions for that?

    Reply
  16. EL says

    February 28, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    5 stars
    This is delish! I used date paste instead and it was super easy.

    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi! I’m so happy you stopped by! My name is Michele and I’m a Paleo eater and recipe creator, runner, mom of 3, and the gal behind Paleo Running Momma! Over here you’ll find real-food, clean eating family favorites that you’ll be excited to share with your loved ones. I hope you stay awhile, eat, savor, and enjoy!

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