Keto Sesame Chicken is a perfect blend of savory, crispy chicken coated in a rich, flavorful sesame sauce. It’s quick to make, full of delicious Asian-inspired flavors, and a great low-carb alternative to the takeout classic.
Can You Eat Sesame Chicken on Keto?
Before answering this question let me explain what actually sesame chicken is, basically its a staple chinese restaurant dish made by breading the chicken and deep frying it in oil.
And the breading used here contains heavy wheat flours and sugars which is very high in carbs, a No-No for any keto low carb diet.
Now if you have questions like is sesame chicken keto friendly? Well, let me answer that now, definitely yes, it can be a keto-approved meal if made properly by substituting certain ingredients like wheat flours and other sugars.
Continue reading below you will get to know!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we get into the instructions, here’s a list of the essential ingredients you’ll need for Keto Sesame Chicken:
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: These are the best choice for this recipe as they cook quickly and stay juicy. You can also use thighs for a richer flavor.
- Almond Flour: This is the perfect low-carb alternative to regular flour. It gives the chicken a crispy coating while keeping the dish keto-friendly.
- Eggs: To help bind the almond flour to the chicken and create a crispy crust.
- Avocado Oil or Coconut Oil: For frying the chicken and ensuring it cooks to golden perfection.
For the Sesame Sauce:
- Soy Sauce (or Coconut Aminos for a gluten-free version): This gives the sauce its signature salty and umami flavor.
- Sesame Oil: This adds depth and a beautiful toasted flavor to the sauce.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a bit of tanginess to balance out the sweetness.
- Low-Carb Sweetener (like erythritol or monk fruit): To provide the sweetness without the sugar.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic provides an aromatic touch to the sauce.
- Ginger: Fresh or ground ginger brings a little zing and warmth to the sauce.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: These are essential for that nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Keto Sesame Chicken
- Achieving Crispy Coating: If you’re looking for a really crispy chicken, try double-coating it in the almond flour and egg mixture for an extra crunchy crust.
- Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on your taste, you can adjust the sweetness of the sauce. Start with a small amount of sweetener and taste as you go, adding more if desired.
- Low-Carb Substitutes: If you’re gluten-free, be sure to use tamari instead of soy sauce, or opt for coconut aminos.
- Cook in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying the chicken. This ensures each piece gets evenly crispy. If needed, fry in batches and set the cooked chicken aside while you prepare the rest.
Variations
- Keto Sesame Chicken with Vegetables: Add some keto-friendly veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini to the stir-fry. These will soak up the sauce and add more texture to the dish.
- Crispy Baked Keto Sesame Chicken: For a healthier option with less oil, bake the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Spicy Keto Sesame Chicken: For a spicy kick, add a few drops of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sesame sauce. The heat pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the sauce.
How to Serve Keto Sesame Chicken
Keto Sesame Chicken is best served with a variety of side dishes that complement its flavors. Here are some great options:
- Cauliflower Rice: This is a perfect low-carb substitute for regular rice. It absorbs the sauce well and adds volume to your meal.
- Zucchini Noodles: If you’re craving noodles, zucchini noodles (also known as zoodles) are a great alternative that’s low in carbs.
- Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, bok choy, and snap peas make excellent sides that are both low-carb and nutritious.
How to Make Low Carb Sesame Chicken Sauce?
Below are the main ingredients we will be adding to make a flavorful keto sesame chicken sauce.
Soy sauce – I am using 0 carb soy sauce here (you can buy it here) or you can use coconut aminos or liquid aminos which is an alternative to soy sauce.
Low carb sweeteners – use sweeteners like sukrin gold, but you can use lakanto’s golden monkfruit sweetener or stevia/erythritol blend or any other brown sugar substitute.
Vinegar – I am using distilled white vinegar, but you can use apple cider vinegar or rice wine vinegar.
Xanthan gum – to thicken the sauce, you can use guar gum powder instead.
Additional Flavors (Optional) – if you would like to add more flavor to the chicken, feel free to add some seasoning to the sauce. Look for flavors that will complement the other ingredients in the recipe.
How to Make Baked Keto Low Carb Sesame Chicken?
Today we are making the traditional fried version (low carb), but let me tell you in short how you can make the baked keto sesame chicken almond flour recipe so that you can choose whatever you like. (for baked version we don’t need that much of ingredients)
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 3-ounce heavy whipping cream and add 1 tsp salt. Whisk and set aside.
- In another bowl, combine 3 tbsps sesame seeds, 4 oz. almond flour, and 1 tsp kosher salt.
- Dip chicken thigh (one at a time) into the egg mixture and then into in the flour mixture and coat well. Do the same for the remaining chicken pieces and set aside
- Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 and chicken is crispy.
- Serve!
How to Store Keto Sesame Chicken
To store your Keto Sesame Chicken, let it cool down completely and transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, or reheat in the microwave. The crispy coating may lose some of its crunch during storage, but the flavor will still be just as delicious.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this recipe in advance? Yes, you can prep the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time. Simply store the cooked chicken and sauce in separate containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, just reheat and toss together.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They are a bit juicier and more flavorful, though they may require a slightly longer cooking time.
Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, especially if you use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.
Can I make this recipe spicier? Definitely! If you like your food with a bit of heat, you can add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
Keto Sesame Chicken (Low Carb)
Keto Sesame Chicken is a perfect blend of savory, crispy chicken coated in a rich, flavorful sesame sauce. It’s quick to make, full of delicious Asian-inspired flavors, and a great low-carb alternative to the takeout classic.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 egg, large
- 1 tbsp corn starch (or arrowroot powder)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil, toasted
- Salt and pepper
For the sauce:
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or gluten free soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil, toasted
- 2 tbsp Sukrin Gold or lakanto golden monkfruit sweetener
- 1 tbsp vinegar, distilled
- 1 tsp ginger, freshly grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
Instructions
- Take a bowl, beat the egg and add a tablespoon of arrowroot powder, mix well to make a batter.
- Add in chicken thigh pieces and coat them well.
- Heat a large pan, add a tablespoon of oil and once hot, add the chicken thighs one by one to avoid sticking to each other.
- Fry the chicken for about 10 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.
- Meanwhile, combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl to make the sauce.
- When the chicken is cooked through, pour the sauce directly to the pan and stir to combine. Reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce has reached your desired thickness.
- Done! Take out from the pan, sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds on the top and serve over cauliflower rice or broccoli.
Notes
4g of Net Carbs
Quick Note: 1 tbsp of arrowroot powder adds about 3.5 net carbs per serving.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
3Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 470Total Fat 34gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 25gCholesterol 256mgSodium 386mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 39g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry! Try these other keto chicken recipes:
- Keto Teriyaki Chicken
- Low Carb Orange Marmalade Chicken
- Low Carb Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy
- Low Carb Zesty Chicken Nuggets
Final Thoughts
Keto Sesame Chicken is a game-changer for anyone following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. With its crispy chicken, savory sesame sauce, and nutty sesame seeds, it brings all the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout in a healthier, guilt-free version. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner, a meal prep option, or just satisfying your cravings, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
