Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with this irresistible Crispy Sesame Panko Chicken! Imagine golden, crunchy chicken with a nutty sesame coating that's so perfectly crisp, it'll make you forget all about boring, bland protein. This Asian-inspired dish combines the satisfying crunch of panko breadcrumbs with the rich, toasty flavor of sesame seeds, creating a restaurant-quality meal you can easily make at home.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by trimming any excess fat and patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds together, creating an even coating mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs thoroughly until well combined.
- Create a marinade by whisking soy sauce and honey together in a small bowl. Brush chicken breasts with this mixture, allowing flavors to penetrate for 10 minutes.
- Dip each marinated chicken breast first into beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage, then roll in the sesame-panko mixture, pressing gently to help breadcrumbs adhere completely.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring enough oil to cover bottom of pan with about 1/4 inch depth.
- Carefully place breaded chicken into hot oil, cooking for approximately 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and place on wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil, allowing coating to remain crisp.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing and serving to retain juiciness.
Tips
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness and better coating adherence.
- Let the chicken marinate in the soy-honey mixture for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor depth and tenderness.
- Press the panko-sesame mixture firmly onto the chicken to create a thick, even coating that will crisp up beautifully.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to help redistribute juices, keeping the meat moist and tender.
- For extra crunch, consider double-dipping the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs for an even thicker coating.
- Use fresh, high-quality vegetable oil and maintain a consistent medium-high heat to achieve perfect golden-brown color.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 120mg
