Spiced Sesame Roasted Chicken
Spiced Sesame Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken drumsticks, large
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
For the Spiced Sesame Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon sriracha, or chili garlic sauce
For the Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken drumsticks and thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels. This helps achieve crispy skin.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, five-spice powder, and sriracha until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2 to 4 hours for best flavor. If time allows, marinate overnight.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 35
- 4
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup, and place a wire rack on top. This allows air to circulate around the chicken for crispier skin.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400
- 5
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Reserve any remaining marinade in the bowl. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared wire rack, skin side up.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Roast the chicken for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, baste the chicken with some of the reserved marinade. Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and crispy with caramelized char.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
If the skin isn't as crispy as desired, you can increase the oven temperature to 425°F for the last 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 425
- 8
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the wire rack for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken.
⏱️ 10 min
- 9
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh chopped cilantro, if using. Serve hot and enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spiced Sesame Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken drumsticks, large
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
For the Spiced Sesame Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon sriracha, or chili garlic sauce
For the Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken drumsticks and thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels. This helps achieve crispy skin.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, five-spice powder, and sriracha until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2 to 4 hours for best flavor. If time allows, marinate overnight.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 35 - 4
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup, and place a wire rack on top. This allows air to circulate around the chicken for crispier skin.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400 - 5
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Reserve any remaining marinade in the bowl. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared wire rack, skin side up.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Roast the chicken for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, baste the chicken with some of the reserved marinade. Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and crispy with caramelized char.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
If the skin isn't as crispy as desired, you can increase the oven temperature to 425°F for the last 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 7 min•🌡️ 425 - 8
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the wire rack for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken.
⏱️ 10 min - 9
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh chopped cilantro, if using. Serve hot and enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min