The Simple Joy of these Crispy Sesame Chicken Tenders
There’s something magical about the combination of crispy coating and tender chicken that just hits different on a Tuesday night. I mean, who doesn’t love that satisfying crunch followed by juicy, perfectly seasoned meat?
These sesame chicken tenders deliver exactly that experience without any of the complicated breading or deep-frying drama. The sesame seeds create this nutty, golden crust that’s honestly addictive.
Plus, they’re baked, so I can pretend I’m being somewhat healthy while devouring them. Simple ingredients, maximum flavor, minimal cleanup. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that don’t overthink things, you know?
Ingredients
Getting these crispy sesame chicken tenders on the table requires just six simple ingredients that you probably already have hanging around your kitchen. I’m talking basic pantry staples here, nothing fancy or hard to find.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, which means less time hunting down weird ingredients and more time actually enjoying dinner.
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
When shopping for chicken tenders, look for pieces that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. If you can only find chicken breasts, no biggie, just slice them into tender-sized strips yourself.
The sesame seeds are really the star here, so don’t skimp on quality, though honestly, even the basic ones from the spice aisle work perfectly fine. I like using regular sesame seeds, but if you’re feeling adventurous, toasted sesame seeds will give you an even nuttier flavor.
Just make sure your olive oil is decent quality since it’s doing double duty as both the coating base and flavor enhancer.
How to Make these Crispy Sesame Chicken Tenders
Making these crispy sesame chicken tenders is honestly so straightforward that I’m almost embarrassed to call it a recipe.
Start by grabbing two bowls, because we’re doing a little assembly line action here. In the first bowl, mix together your 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Give it a good stir until everything’s evenly distributed, and you’ll have this gorgeous speckled coating just waiting to transform your chicken.
Pour your 2 tablespoons olive oil into the second bowl. Now comes the fun part, take each of your 1 lb chicken tenders and give them a light coating in the olive oil first, just enough to make them slick and ready for the spice mixture. Then roll each oiled tender in your sesame spice blend, pressing gently so those seeds really stick.
Once all your tenders are dressed and ready, place them on a lightly greased baking dish, making sure they’re not crowding each other. Nobody likes a cramped chicken tender, trust me on this one. While the oven method works beautifully for this recipe, you could also achieve perfectly crispy results using a nonstick omelet pan on the stovetop if you prefer smaller batches.
Pop that dish into a preheated 350-degree oven and let them bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and the internal temperature hits 165 degrees, but honestly, the visual cues are pretty obvious. The sesame seeds will be toasted and fragrant, the chicken will look beautifully bronzed, and your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible.
The whole process takes maybe 10 minutes of actual hands-on work, which leaves you plenty of time to figure out what you’re serving alongside these beauties.
Substitutions and Variations
Now that you’ve got the basic technique down, let me tell you about all the ways you can mess around with this recipe, because honestly, the beauty of these chicken tenders lies in how flexible they are.
Want some heat? Toss in cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Craving something different? Swap sesame seeds for crushed almonds or sunflower seeds.
I’m telling you, garlic powder works magic here too. You can even use coconut oil instead of olive oil for a subtle tropical twist.
Mix and match spices however your taste buds demand.
Additional Things to Serve With Crispy Sesame Chicken Tenders
While these crispy sesame chicken tenders are absolutely delicious on their own, pairing them with the right sides can turn a simple weeknight dinner into something special.
I love serving them with fluffy jasmine rice that soaks up any leftover sesame goodness.
Steamed broccoli adds perfect color contrast, though let’s be honest, roasted vegetables taste way better.
Asian-style coleslaw brings welcome crunch and freshness.
For dipping? Sweet and sour sauce or honey mustard work beautifully.
Don’t overlook simple mashed potatoes either – sometimes comfort food combinations surprise you with how perfectly they complement each other.
Final Thoughts
These crispy sesame chicken tenders prove that you don’t need complicated techniques or fancy ingredients to create something truly satisfying.
Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that make you wonder why you ever bothered with anything more complex. I mean, what’s not to love about tender chicken with a nutty sesame coating?
This recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss, and honestly, that’s what weeknight cooking should be about. Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and results that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Pure comfort food magic.
