1. Preheat your oven to 475° F. This high temperature will give the chicken a lovely crispness. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it with oil to prevent sticking.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, egg white, tamari or soy sauce, and orange zest. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well-coated in the marinade. It should become glossy and fragrant.
3. Next, take a separate bowl and add the cornstarch. Dredge the marinated chicken pieces through the cornstarch to create a nice coating. This step is crucial for achieving that ultimate crunch!
4. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with some sesame or olive oil, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Bake for 8 minutes, then carefully flip the pieces over and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. You’re looking for golden-brown color and a cooked-through texture.
5. While the chicken is baking, you can whip up the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining tamari or soy sauce, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, chili paste, creamy peanut butter, chopped garlic, and ginger. This sauce is going to elevate the flavor of your tacos significantly.
6. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and pour the sauce over it. Toss well to coat all the pieces evenly; this is where the magic happens. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for that extra crunch.
7. Now, it’s time to assemble! If you’re using nori, stuff it into the hard shell tacos first. Then, fill the shells with the saucy chicken and top with your favorite garnishes like kimchi, lettuce, and cilantro.
8. Serve immediately with any extra sauce from the baking sheet and/or yum yum style sauce. Enjoy your delicious Crispy Sesame Ginger Chicken Tacos with friends and family!
