Gluten Free Sesame Baked Chicken is a perfect for picnics, BBQs or a weeknight dinner. This crispy, golden chicken is made without breadcrumbs—proof that gluten free cooks have delicious options when it comes to breading. Gluten free cornflake-type cereal is the secret ingredient. Sesame seeds add crunch and a hint of nutty flavour, making this recipe a hit. Try it warm or cold—it travels well and tastes great either way.
For a summer picnic we love this chicken with homemade potato salad and a veggie tray. Homemade lemony hummus is my top choice to go with raw veggies. Whether you're making the whole picnic or just one dish, cheesecake brownies (pulled out of the freezer) would be a delicious ending to this meal.
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Ingredients for Sesame Baked Chicken
The idea that fat makes you fat was debunked long ago so cook with flavour in mind and don't be afraid to use oil.
- Olive or vegetable oil - Oil tenderizes meat, prevents food from sticking to the pan and carries flavour into the meat.
- Lemon juice - Balances the flavour.
- Garlic - Where would the world be without garlic.
- Gluten free cornflake-type cereal & cornstarch - This is the breading I use for other recipes. In this recipe I've added sesame seeds and parsley for a different taste.
- Toasted sesame seeds - Adds a nutty flavour to the breading.
- Parsley - It's always good to add a little something green.
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Gluten Free Breadcrumbs
The first gluten free breadcrumbs I bought were a disappointment. The gluten free claim on the front of the package was enough for me to buy it and never read the ingredients. When I got home I read the package and found I bought cornmeal with sugar. I paid too much for it and I had those two ingredients in my kitchen.
Over time I learned to save every bit of gluten free bread in a container in the freezer. When I want breadcrumbs I use my food processor to make them. I still do that but I like this cornflake-style cereal option since the cereal is easy to buy.
Substitutions
Cornflake-style cereal - Substitute 1¼ cups of cornmeal for the cereal and omit the cornstarch. Using cornmeal will have a bit of a different finished result, but it will still be a crunchy and tasty breading.
Here are pictures to compare the cornmeal breading option.
Get The Tools
Every home cook needs some basic baking pans. I have four baking sheets; two I use for cookies and desserts. They've never had garlic on them and they look pretty new! The other two are for everything from roasting garlic to baking chicken and they look well used.
- Full size baking pans or half size pans depending on your needs and the size of your oven.
- For lining pans use parchment paper on a roll or parchment sheets if you don't like it curling up on the pan. Tin foil works too.
- The environmentally friendly option is the reusable baking sheet. Wash and reuse for years. I recommend a light coloured one as the dark ones can over brown the food.
Top Tip for Gluten Free Breading
Try different breading recipes and pay attention to what you like. Over time you'll have a few substitutions you like and won't be frustrated when you find breaded recipes you want to try. Look below for some of my other breading recipes.
Gluten Free Sesame Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 12 bone-in chicken thighs
MARINADE
- ¾ cup vegetable or olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Cornflake Sesame Breading
- 1½ cups gluten free cornflake type cereal
- 2½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 6 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Marinate Chicken
- Combine marinade ingredients. Pour over chicken and marinate 3-4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place wire rack on top.
Make Sesame Breading
- In a food processor combine cornflake cereal and cornstarch. Pulse until finely ground. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
- Add sesame seeds, parsley, salt and pepper to cereal mixture. Stir to combine.
- Remove chicken from marinade allowing liquid to drip off.
- Roll chicken pieces in crumb mixture to cover all sides.
- Place on prepared baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through. Serve hot or cold.
Nutrition
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More Recipes with Gluten Free Breading
Gluten free cooks have options. You just need to cook, take notes and remain adventurous!
- The original recipe for Breaded Pork Chops that uses the cornflake cereal breading. I use it to make schnitzel too.
- I use the exact same breading for gluten free chicken fingers or chicken strips.
- These spicy Thai meatballs are packed with flavour and served with ponzu sauce so the plain breadcrumbs are simply a vehicle to hold all that flavour.
- Hazelnut Lemon Halibut has a delicious coating with hazelnuts, lemon zest and parsley added to plain breadcrumbs.
- Coconut Shrimp are simply coated in shredded coconut for a crunchy exterior and delicious taste.
- In this recipe for Calamari with ancho mayo the squid rings are soaked then lightly coated in a combination of corn flour and masa harina.
- Turkey tetrazzini is topped with breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese. The exact same crumb mixture you would use to make veal Parmigiana or the vegetarian version, eggplant Parm.
- For more details check out this post, Gluten Free Breading Help.
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