Description

Easy Baked Spicy Sesame Butter Chicken is a quick and flavorful recipe that features tender, juicy chicken thighs baked in a rich, spicy sesame butter sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish combines bold heat, nutty sesame, and buttery richness in a simple one-pan bake, delivering a satisfying and wholesome meal with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Sauce

4 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, freshly minced
1 teaspoon red chili flakes or powder (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar

Garnishes

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

Preheat and prepare the sauce: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, combine melted butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, chili flakes, and honey. Mix well until thoroughly blended to create a flavorful spicy sesame butter sauce.
Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish or large bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and toss or brush evenly to coat each piece completely. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Bake to perfection: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even caramelization. The chicken should be juicy on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior when done.
Finish and garnish: Once baked, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the hot chicken pieces. This adds a fresh crunch and appealing color to the dish before serving.

Notes

Choose chicken thighs over breasts to ensure juicy, tender meat after baking.
Marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors penetrate deeply.
Use fresh garlic and ginger for vibrant and aromatic flavors.
Keep an eye on the bake time to avoid drying the chicken; check for doneness around 25 minutes.
Lightly toast sesame seeds before sprinkling to enhance their nutty flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce and garnishes
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: spicy chicken, sesame butter chicken, baked chicken recipe, easy dinner, one-pan chicken, gluten-free chicken, weeknight dinner, sesame chicken