Crispy Golden Panko Sesame Chicken Tenders Recipe

Crispy, golden chicken tenders with panko sesame coating promise a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

These tender morsels pack an irresistible crunch that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

The sesame-infused panko creates a delicate, nutty exterior that perfectly complements the juicy chicken inside.

Restaurants can’t match the homemade magic you’ll achieve with this simple recipe.

Each bite delivers a satisfying blend of textures that elevates weeknight dinners from ordinary to extraordinary.

The secret lies in the perfectly seasoned breading that locks in moisture while creating an irresistibly crisp shell.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe and transform your dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Panko Sesame Chicken Tenders

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a smooth base layer that helps egg and breadcrumbs stick perfectly to chicken tenders.
• Salt, Pepper: Introduces foundational seasoning for enhancing overall flavor profile.

• Eggs, Water: Serves as a crucial binding agent that helps breadcrumbs adhere securely to chicken surface.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Delivers exceptional crunchiness with light, airy texture.
• White Sesame Seeds, Black Sesame Seeds: Contributes nutty complexity and visual appeal with contrasting colors and textures.

• Neutral Cooking Oil: Enables even, golden-brown frying with crisp exterior.

• Mayonnaise: Provides creamy, rich base for sauce.
• Garlic: Introduces sharp, aromatic punch.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, tangy freshness.
• Sriracha: Brings spicy kick and depth.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami and salty undertones.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes distinctive nutty essence.

What Tools You’ll Need for Chicken Tenders

• Large Non-Stick Skillet: Essential for perfectly crispy chicken tenders.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps keep tenders crisp by preventing soggy bottoms.
• Cookie Sheet: Provides support for the cooling rack and catches any oil drips.
• Three Bowls or Shallow Dishes: Needed for flour, egg, and panko coating stages.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing egg and creating smooth dipping sauce.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: Ensures chicken is cooked to safe temperature.
• Tongs: Great for flipping tenders without losing crispy coating.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: For preparing ingredients if needed.

Instructions for Panko Sesame Chicken

• Flour Preparation

Create a seasoned flour mixture by adding salt and pepper to a wide bowl.

• Egg Wash

Whisk an egg with a splash of water in a separate container.

• Sesame Crumb Coating

Mix panko breadcrumbs with white and black sesame seeds in another dish.

• Chicken Breading

Coat each chicken tender by first rolling in seasoned flour, then dipping into egg wash, and finally pressing into sesame breadcrumb mixture.

• Oil Heating

Warm a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with enough oil to cover bottom of pan.

• Frying Technique

Carefully place breaded tenders into hot oil, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Resting Period

Transfer cooked tenders to a wire rack placed inside a baking sheet, keeping warm in a low-temperature oven between batches.

• Creamy Dipping Sauce

Whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lime juice, sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a zesty accompaniment.

Tips for Making Great Panko Chicken

• Swap traditional white sesame seeds with toasted black or mixed sesame seeds for deeper, nuttier flavor profiles.
• Preheat oven to 425°F, place breaded tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and spray with cooking spray to achieve crispy texture without deep-frying.
• Add cayenne, smoked paprika, or dried herbs like oregano to the flour mixture for extra kick and personalized seasoning.
• Prepare breaded tenders up to 4 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to cook, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before frying for even cooking.
• Replace chicken with firm tofu, turkey breast, or thin-sliced pork cutlets to create exciting variations while maintaining the same crispy coating technique.

Serving Your Sesame Chicken Tenders

• Flavor Adventure Platter: Create a colorful spread with multiple dipping sauces like sweet chili, honey mustard, and the homemade sriracha mayo to let guests mix and match flavors.
• Asian-Inspired Salad Topper: Slice chicken tenders into strips and scatter over a fresh mixed green salad with cucumber, mandarin oranges, and a light sesame dressing for a light meal.
• Game Day Crowd Pleaser: Serve these crispy tenders with celery sticks, carrot spears, and ranch or blue cheese dressing for a classic party appetizer that keeps everyone happy.
• Lunch Box Superstar: Pack cooled tenders in a bento-style container with separated compartments for sauce, some cucumber slices, and edamame for a balanced, exciting midday meal.

Storage Tips for Sesame Chicken Tenders

• Chilled Delight Storage: Transfer cooled chicken tenders to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, maintaining crispy texture when reheated.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Revive cold tenders in a preheated 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet to ensure even warming and restore original crispiness without sogginess.
• Freezer-Friendly Batch: Arrange completely cooled tenders on a baking sheet, freeze individually, then transfer to freezer-safe bags. These will stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Sauce Separation Trick: Store dipping sauce separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Keep for up to one week, giving a quick stir before serving to remix any natural separation of ingredients.

Crispy Panko Sesame Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy panko sesame chicken tenders deliver a perfect fusion of Asian-inspired flavors and crunchy textures. Sesame seeds and golden panko breadcrumbs create an irresistible coating that elevates classic chicken tenders into a delightful meal you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) chicken tenders
• 1 cup (120 g) panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (64 g) sesame seeds
• ½ cup (112 g) mayonnaise
• 3 tbsps (45 g) lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, very finely minced or grated
• 2 tsps sriracha
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• Water, as needed

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly blend salt and pepper into flour mixture within a spacious container, creating a well-distributed seasoning base.
2. Coating Station Setup: Establish three distinct zones – seasoned flour, whisked egg wash, and sesame-panko mixture, ensuring each chicken tender can be seamlessly transformed.
3. Breading Technique: Systematically coat chicken tenders by first dredging in seasoned flour, removing excess, then immersing completely in egg wash, and finally encrusting with sesame-panko mixture, gently pressing to guarantee full coverage.
4. Frying Preparation: Heat non-stick skillet to medium-high temperature, adding oil to create a shallow frying environment approximately 1/4 inch deep, allowing precise heat control.
5. Cooking Process: Strategically place breaded tenders into hot oil, maintaining adequate spacing to ensure uniform golden-brown crispiness, frying 3-4 minutes per side until exterior achieves perfect crunch and interior reaches 165 degrees F.
6. Resting and Warming: Transfer cooked tenders to wire rack positioned over baking sheet, utilizing low-temperature oven to maintain optimal warmth and texture for subsequent batches.
7. Sauce Creation: Whisk mayo, garlic, lime juice, sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil into a vibrant, complex dipping sauce, adjusting consistency with water if desired for versatile usage.
8. Serving Presentation: Plate hot, crispy tenders alongside dynamically flavored sauce, ensuring maximum sensory enjoyment of crunchy exterior and zesty accompaniment.

Notes

• Prevent Flour Clumping: Sift flour mixture thoroughly to break up any lumps, ensuring an even, smooth coating that sticks perfectly to chicken tenders.
• Optimize Sesame Seed Adherence: Press sesame-panko mixture gently but firmly onto tenders, guaranteeing maximum seed coverage and extra crunch.
• Monitor Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent medium-high heat around 350°F to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking chicken.
• Sauce Customization: Adjust sriracha and lime juice quantities to personalize heat level and tanginess according to individual taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg