Description
This Easy Baked Spicy Sesame Butter Chicken Recipe offers a perfect blend of spicy heat, nutty sesame flavor, and rich buttery goodness. It’s a quick and fuss-free dish that yields tender, juicy chicken thighs with a flavorful glaze, ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4–6 bone-in chicken thighs (skin on for best flavor)
Marinade
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1–2 tbsp sriracha or chili paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
Garnish
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger until smooth and well combined. This creates the balanced spicy, sweet, and savory base for the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or zip-lock bag and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, for best flavor absorption.
- Preheat and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs evenly on the sheet, skin side up, leaving space between pieces.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken for 25–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and slightly crispy. Halfway through baking, baste the chicken with the remaining marinade to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: After baking, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chicken. Serve immediately while hot and juicy, optionally with a drizzle of extra sesame oil or a squeeze of lime.
Notes
- Use bone-in thighs: For extra moistness and better flavor retention during baking.
- Don’t skip marinating: Even a short marination time significantly enhances flavor depth.
- Toast sesame seeds: Lightly toast them in a dry pan to intensify their nuttiness before sprinkling on the chicken.
- Adjust baking time: Depending on your oven and chicken size, check early to avoid drying out the meat.
- Rest before serving: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to redistribute juices evenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg