Honey Sesame Baked Chicken Thighs

Juicy and moist Honey Sesame Baked Chicken Thighs in a sweet and savory garlic sesame sauce. An easy weeknight dinner recipe that pairs perfectly with rice or vegetables. 

Try this Garlic Sesame Chicken recipe made with chicken breasts and a flavorful Asian glaze next.

Honey Sesame Baked Chicken Thighs served on a marble platter and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. Yellow rice and green onions in the background with a two tea towels.

This sesame chicken recipe is light and filling, and topped with fresh green onions for a balanced flavor. Thighs cook fast, so the Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs are ready to go in under an hour.

This quick and easy recipe can serve two people or you can freeze one package to have on hand throughout the week.

The chicken baked in this dish is tender and moist, thanks to the honey sesame glaze. You’ll want to serve this dish with steamed rice and some stir-fried vegetables to get the full nutritional impact. This recipe makes five servings, so you can cook a package of thighs all at once or divide a larger package and freeze it for later.

Baked Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs on a marble platter. The chicken is garnished with diced green onions and sesame seeds.

How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towel.
  2. Mix together baking powder and oil.
  3. Spread mixture on top and under chicken skin.
  4. Whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, and sesame oil.
  5. Pour on top of chicken.
  6. Bake in 350°F oven for 35 minutes.
  7. Stir together cornstarch and water. Whisk into liquid.
  8. Spoon sauce over chicken occasionally.
  9. Turn oven to 400°F and bake until skin is crispy.
  10. Serve with sesame seeds, green onions, and rice.
Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs served on a marble platter and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. Yellow rice and green onions in the background with a two tea towels. Text in center reads honey sesame chicken thighs. Second picture is an image of five thighs on a marble platter with green onions and sesame seeds.

Honey Sesame Chicken Ingredients

  • CHICKEN: Pat chicken thighs with paper towel to remove excess moisture then coat skin with a mixture of oil and baking powder. This allows the skin to crisp in the oven.
  • HONEY: Adds a touch of sweetness.
  • SESAME OIL: Just a splash.
  • SOY SAUCE: Regular soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce.
  • CORNSTARCH: Helps to thicken the sauce.

I like to bake chicken and serve it with a sweet and savory Asian sauce made of honey, sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce. This sauce is tangy and has a rich dark color, with a hint of nutty sweetness. It’s not too sweet, so you can enjoy a little of the honey flavor along savory notes.

Baked Asian Sesame Chicken  chicken on a platter. Served with green onions.

How to Serve Sesame Chicken

Baked chicken thighs can be served with fresh or steamed vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or a tableside salad. Noodles like lo-mein or rice are other options, too.

other chicken recipes to try next

Honey Sesame Baked Chicken Thighs served on a marble platter and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. Yellow rice and green onions in the background with a two tea towels.

Honey Sesame Baked Chicken Thighs

Juicy and moist Honey Sesame Baked Chicken Thighs in a sweet and savory garlic sesame sauce. An easy weeknight dinner recipe that pairs perfectly with rice or vegetables.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian, Chinese
Servings 5 servings
Calories 362 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 5 chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • tsp baking powder
  • cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce or low-sodium
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • tsp corn starch
  • tsp cold water
  • ½ tsp sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup green onions, diced

Instructions
 

  • Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towel.
  • Mix together baking powder and oil.
  • Spread mixture on top and under chicken skin.
  • Whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, and sesame oil.
  • Pour on top of chicken.
  • Bake in 350°F oven for 35 minutes.
  • Stir together cornstarch and water.
  • Whisk into liquid. Spoon sauce over chicken occasionally.
  • Turn oven to 400°F and bake until skin is crispy.
  • Serve with sesame seeds, green onions, and rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 19gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 514mgPotassium: 294mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 138IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate and it’s accuracy is not guaranteed to be exact.

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3 Responses

  1. I used boneless and skinless thighs. The last ten mintutes I poured the sauce over and chicken and it browned up really well.
    Loved it!!!

  2. Can I use drumsticks as well as thighs? If so, will they bake for the same length of time as the thighs?

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