Chinese Sesame Chicken
Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken, stir-fried in a Whole30 sesame chicken sauce. It’s savory, naturally sweet, and healthy delicious. This is a must-have Chinese stir-fry dish for Sesame Chicken lovers!
One of my goals this year is to revisit some of my older recipes and make them even more user friendly. This new take on my Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken has much-simplified ingredients and cooking steps, but is just as delicious as (if not more delicious than) the earlier version.
Simplified Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken (Whole30 friendly!)
Dates are a good replacement for honey if you are on Whole30. They add a hint of sweetness and thicken the sauce naturally. However because dates still pack with higher amount of natural sugar I recommend using them sparingly as the recipe describes below.
I blend all the sesame chicken sauce ingredients in a small food processor until they are very well chopped/blended with almost no fruit chunks. You can prepare the sesame chicken sauce ahead of time during meal prep and store it in a glass container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If the paste gets too thick before using, simply add a tablespoon of water or chicken/veggie broth to thin it a bit.
Your Favorite Chinese Take Out – Chinese Sesame Chicken
I used a combination of boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts to make my Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken. In my opinion, all breast meat tends to give drier mouthfeel. You can absolutely use all thigh meat if preferred.
Dice the chicken into smaller bite sizes (cube shape), this will allow the meat to grab the sauce better and therefore be more delicious.
If you are wondering how to bring your stir-fry techniques to the next level (hint: golden brown gorgeous chicken stir-fry), I highly recommend that you check out this article I recently wrote for 7 stir-fry mistakes every home cook should avoid.
This Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken is –
Healthy
Easy
Naturally Sweet
Savory
Family friendly
& Absolutely delicious !
If you give this Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken a try, let me know ! Leave a comment and rate the recipe. And don’t forget to take a picture and tag it #IHeartUmami on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. XOXO !
Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken (Whole30, gluten-free)
Ingredients
Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken (Whole30):
- 1.25 lbs chicken thighs and breasts, boneless skinless
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
- ½ tsp arrowroot powder, alt. tapioca
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- White sesame seeds, garnish
- Chopped scallions, garnish
Aromatics:
- Ginger, ,2 to 3 thin slices
- 1 large garlic clove, ,thin sliced
Paleo Chinese Sesame Chicken Sauce (Whole30):
- 6 whole medjool dates, ,pitted
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp tomato paste, ,Whole30 compliant with no added sugar
- 1 tsp chili hot sauce, ,optional (Whole30 compliant with no added sugar)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Sesame Chicken: Dice chicken to small bite-sizes (small cube shape) and season with salt, pepper, ginger, arrowroot powder, and olive oil. Mix well and set aside.
- Sesame Chicken Sauce: Pulse dates, garlic clove, and ginger in a small food processor a few times until finely chopped. Add the rest of ingredients under “sauce”. Toss/blend a few more times until the sauce is smooth and no fruit chunks.
- Pan-fry: Pre-heat a large stainless steel skillet (without oil) over low heat until it’s well heated (about 4-5 mins), add avocado oil and pan fry the chicken in separate batches (not to overcrowd the skillet). Don’t touch or move the chicken pieces until you see the bottom layer is in golden brown then cook the flip side until they are about 90-95% cooked through. Set aside with chicken juice in the skillet.
- Combine: Add a bit more cooking oil to the skillet, saute ‘aromatics’ with a sprinkle of salt until fragrant. Add 3-4 heaping tbsps of sesame chicken sauce*, quickly stir-fry the sauce with aromatics for 8-10 seconds then add the chicken back to the skillet. Coat the sauce over chicken pieces and stri-fry for a few additional minutes until they are cooked through. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve hot and immediately with steamed broccoli florets or any simple mixed green salad of your choice.
Video
Notes
- Complete Steps 1 and 2. Store the sauce in food glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If it becomes to thick, add 1 tbsp water/broth to thin the paste before using.
- Dice chicken to small bite sizes and add seasonings. Store in food glass container in the fridge if use the next day or store flat in large freezer friendly ziplock bags for later use. In Step 4, feel free to add more sauce if preferred.
Nutrition
More Paleo Whole30 Stir-Fry Recipes:
- Paleo sweet and sour chicken
- Paleo Kung Pao Chicken
- Paleo Cashew Chicken
- Paleo Hunan Beef Stir-Fry
- Stir-Fried Beef In Oyster Sauce
- Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
- Paleo Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry
- Paleo Mongolian Beef
- Chinese Pepper Steak
This is our family’s favorite Chinese takeout dish made gluten-free and healthy. My kids LOVE this dish and asked for it all the time. It’s on our meal rotation. Thank you for creating this wonderful recipe!
Thank you, Heather!
How much honey should be used for the sauce if we choose not to use dates?
Hi Diane, I would start with 1 tbsp honey and if it’s not sweet enough to your preference add a bit more. Hope this helps. Thank you!
So amazing!! My husband and I loved it! Will definitely make again and try more of all of your delicious recipes! We love Asian cuisine and love healthy cooking! Thank you! ❤️🙌🏻😘
Rice wine vinegar is not allowed on Whole30. What would you recommend using instead? I can’t wait to try it! Thanks!
Hi Joan, Rice vinegar is Whole30. This is a common question for Whole30 newbies. Please refer to the following URL article to read the official Whole30 guidelines about all things vinegar. Here’s the quote from the official website “Vinegar. Nearly all forms of vinegar, including white, red wine, balsamic, apple cider, and rice, are allowed during your Whole30 program. (The only exception is malt vinegar, which generally contains gluten.) ”
Now the source of your rice vinegar is important. A good bottle of rice vinegar, especially made in Japan, is made with no added sugar. Please also check out my Shop Page if you find it difficult to shop for ingredients. Thank you!
https://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/
I made this for my husband, 6yo and 4yo. Everybody inhaled it! The kids loved the smell of the paste as I was grinding it and asked if we were eating dim sum for dinner. I didn’t get a chance to take photos sadly. Thank you, Chih-yu! ❤️
OMG! I’m so happy to hear that! We love this Chinese Paleo sesame chicken very much, too!
Most amazing paleo sesame chicken!! The dates take it to a new level for sure. I would definitely use a mix of breast and thigh because the thigh pieces are so extra juicy! Next time I’m making a huge batch for meal prep!!
Thanks IheartUmami xo
Thank you, Kate! You are amazing!
I’ve never commented on a blog recipe before, but this one deserves it times a million. The sauce is freaking ridiculous, and I will make this dish again and again and again. THANK YOU! So good.
Aww, thank you Christina! I’m so touched. Thanks so much again!
We LOVE this Paleo sesame chicken dish! It’s so good and can’t believe it’s also Whole30! My kids and husband also love this dish. Will be making it again!
That’s awesome. SO great to hear!
Love this recipe! Different and easy
So happy to hear. Thank you, Emily! I appreciate it. 🙂
This was SO GOOD! Simple to make with ingredients that are always on hand. Will be making even after my whole 30 is finished! Thank you 🙂
That’s so fantastic, Catherine. Thank you for sharing with us!
Can you make this recipe without the arrowroot flour/tapioca?
Yes. The arrowroot will help the chicken more crispy in the skillet but you can skip it. 🙂
Great recipe! Perfect amount of sweetness, incredible flavor, a nice crunch to the chicken, and all clean ingredients. I will be trying many more of your recipes, thank you for sharing!
You are so very welcome. Thanks, Angela!
You’re my favorite recipe site and recommend you to others all the time! Thanks!Was wondering if harissa paste would be good for the hot sauce?
Hi Rebecca, thank you so much! I think harissa paste should work here, too! It might alter the flavor a bit but I use harissa paste quite often in stir-fry dishes.
Made this tonight and it was awesome! I doubled up the sauce (went with 8 dates) and subbed the rice wine for apple cider vin. Kids loved it too. Thanks for sharing!
So amazing to hear ! Thanks, Ashley !
Once I preheat the skillet, do I then turn the heat up to high or do I leave it on low to medium low to stir fry the ingredients? Thank you!
Hi Michelle, if the skillet is well-heated, I’d use medium to medium-high to sear the chicken :))
Looks delicious. Can’t wait to have some!
Thanks, Jason !
Busted out the cusinart on a weekday to make this for the family. So worth it! The dates add just the right amount of sweetness. I loved the truck about the stainless pans…it made a perfect seer. This is the first recipe of yours I made can’t wait to make more!! Thank you!
That’s so lovely to hear. Thank you, Christy !
Super yummy, thanks! I had a mango I had to use up, so I replaced the dates with some mango chunks and it turned out great. Served with zoodles
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I really want to try this but I only have chicken thighs with the bone and skin on. Have you ever used this sauce on thighs and cooked in the oven or on the stovetop without dicing? It looks delish and I want to try tomorrow night!
Hi Brenna, no I haven’t. There’s a turmeric chicken thigh bake recipe on my site, using skin on and bone in chicken thighs. I think that might be a better fit for the ingredients you have handy.
I just made this today and it tastes EXACTLY like the sesame chicken I used to eat when I was a kid! Thank you so much for creating a paleo version and I can’t wait to try all of your other recipes!
Hi ChihYu – Do you have tips on doubling the sauce? We made this and everyone loved it – but wanted more sauce (esp the kids who served over rice). I thought about just doubling everything, but 12 dates sounds like a lot! What would you suggest?
Thanks!
Hi Tanya, yes that’s a great question. 12 dates are definitely too much if you double the original quantity. Hmm…I’d start with smaller quantity try 5-6 dates (also it depends on the size of the date). Blend and taste test. If not enough, then add a bit more. Hope that helps !
Thanks, ChihYu! we’ll give that a try 🙂
Seriously drooling! This looks just like what you could get at a restaurant but so much healthier for you 🙂
You’re recipes are always the best. So much flavor. YUM!!
I love your take on one of my favorite Chinese dishes. Love it!e
Hot damn girl that chicken is good. Secret’s in the sauce as they say! So delish!
Thanks so much !
I love that you made this with dates, what a fantastic idea!
This sesame chicken looks better than take out!
I’m doing a Whole30 in March and I’ve been gathering recipes I want to try and this one immediately went on the list (as have many of yours of course).
Made this tonight…so delicious and tastes better and lighter than restaurants (obviously…no breading). My 3 yr old and 5 ur old both tasted it…success!!!
That’s so lovely to hear. Yay ! So happy !! :))
This sauce is amazing! Thank you!
EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS DINNER IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY, CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE IT!!
The dates in this sauce are so brilliant. Pinned to lots of boards, can’t wait to make!!! 🙂
Ok, it looks like even I can make this! YUM!
This is one of those dishes people always just assume is going to be super unhealthy… but you made it real food and paleo!
Absolutely delicious! Made it today and enjoyed it so much! Your cooking tips were so great! Thank you for yet another amazing recipe! I’m a fan!
Thanks so much Elena !
I am happy to take tips from the queen of stir-fry because this recipe looks ah-mazing. Love the sprinkle of fresh sesame seeds and how you create that classic flavour without the sugar. This will be on the menu this week!!
i AM so putting this on the menu!! All my favorite flavors, and the dates, swoon!
That sauce sounds incredible! And that chicken looks so perfectly cooked.
Thank you, Jean !
That sauce though!! My goodness I can’t wait to try this! Thank you!
Thank you, Renee !
I don’t have fresh ginger. Can I still make it?
Yes !
We made this last night, the same day we received it. It was a smash hit. Loved it. Thanks again.
Thanks so much, Steve ! I’m so happy to hear that ! :))
ChihYu,
This was so delicious. I am so happy to have learned the trick that makes stainless steel non stick. I am so happy to have found your blog.
I’m so happy to hear that, Kathy !! Thank you so much too !! Love you !
I got this recipe in my inbox this morning and had to try it since I had some dates on hand. Wow! This was amazing! My family absolutely loved it, and it was so quick and easy to make. And as my 12-year-old said, “It has the perfect amount of sweetness.” This recipe is definitely going into our regular rotation 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing it!
That’s so fantastic to hear. Thank you so much, Maisie. I really appreciate it !
This looks so delicious and healthy! My family enjoys sesame chicken, but we had to take a break from eating it on the Whole30 because of the added sugar. Thank you for creating a version that isn’t filled with sugar and preservatives. We are looking forward to trying your recipe. Thank you for sharing it.
That’s so lovely to hear. Thank you, Ann !