This crunchy Sesame Baked Chicken is a summer favourite for picnics. I added sesame seeds to my crispy cornflake breading for the perfect crunch. Served hot or cold, no one will know it's gluten free.

Three pieces of Sesame Baked Chicken with potato salad and radishes.

This recipe is perfect for two strategies I use in my kitchen to keep getting meals on the table that everyone loves. For Cook Once, Eat Twice I simply make the entire recipe and freeze enough for a second meal. On days when I don’t have enough time or all the ingredients I might simply make the breading recipe and have some left over for a second use. I call this Prep Once, Eat Twice and that second meal could be a Breaded Chicken Caesar Salad.

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Does Oil Tenderize Meat
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Gluten Free Breading
Cornflake Breading vs Cornmeal Breading
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Sesame Baked Chicken

Does Oil Tenderize Meat

Yes, oil tenderizes meat, prevents food from sticking to the pan and carries flavour into he meat. 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.

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Gluten Free Breading

When you’re cooking gluten free you’ve got to have a few strategies for breading. This is what I do.

Make crumbs from leftover buns in the freezer (I don’t let hot dog, hamburger or dinner buns stay in the freezer too long)
Use cornflake breading from my Breaded Pork Chops recipe
Replace breadcrumbs with whole oats, quick oats or cornmeal (experiment with the different textures to find what you like)

When I made this chicken I compared the sesame breading recipe made with my usual cornflake breading or with just cornmeal. The taste was a bit different but I’d repeat this recipe using either of these options any day. Here’s how I did it.

Cornflake Breading vs Cornmeal Breading

EGFG Cornflake Breading	Cornmeal version
1¼ cups GF cornflake breading* 6 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 teaspoon dried parsley (1 tablespoon fresh) ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper	1¼ cups cornmeal 6 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 teaspoon dried parsley (1 tablespoon fresh) ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper

*The cornflake breading recipe is listed at the bottom of the instructions within this recipe card for this Sesame Baked Chicken. It is 3 cups GF cornflakes (crushed), ⅓ cup cornstarch, ½ teaspoon each salt & pepper. Finely grind in a food processor or smash it with a rolling pin.

This Sesame Baked Chicken has a delicious crunchy coating made with cornflakes, cornstarch, sesame seeds and parsley. — Cornflake Breading

For this version of Sesame Baked Chicken I used cornmeal instead of the cornflake is delicious hot or cold. Served with potato salad it makes a perfect picnic. — Cornflake Breading

I made each of these breading recipes in a separate bowl then removed some to store for later. Once raw chicken goes into the breading I wouldn’t save it so I always start with less breading than I need. I then add from the clean bowl being careful not to contaminate the unused breading.

Comparing the two was easy in this case since I could see the difference. When I compare something that looks quite similar I simply cook them on two different looking baking pans.

Get The Tools

Every home cook needs a few simple tools. I have four baking sheets; two I use for cookies and desserts. They've never had garlic on them and they still look new after years of use. The other two are for everything from roasting garlic to baking chicken and they always look well used. If you only have one pan use parchment paper or a reusable baking mat to avoid the transfer of flavours.