Baked Sesame Orange Chicken
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Juicy sesame orange chicken is coated in a crispy black sesame crust and bathed in a sweet and tangy orange sesame sauce before being broiled to sticky perfection. With just ten minutes of prep time, you’ll be ditching that take-out menu!
Sesame and orange are an underrated flavor combination: the nuttiness of the sesame pairs with the zesty sweetness of the orange, creating a bright, refreshing, yet complex taste. Pop it under the broiler so it caramelizes, and you’ve got a winning chicken dinner that tastes like takeout!
Deep frying isn’t the sole path to achieving a crispy crust. In this recipe, the black sesame seed crust is baked to perfection, achieving a delightful crispness. Then, it’s coated with a glazy sauce and broiled until it’s sticky and finger-licking flavorful, creating a texture contrast to rival even the best take-out joints! Pair it with some rice and greens for a fully satisfying and delicious dinner that the whole family will love – it’s even kid-approved!
Ingredients notes
The flavor profile of this sesame orange chicken is citrusy, sweet, tangy, umami, and nutty! It’s a delicious harmony of tastes that balance and complement each other. Gather these ingredients:
- Chicken: Use boneless and skinless chicken thighs.
- Black sesame seeds: You can find these in some grocery stores, sometimes in the bulk sections. Otherwise, Asian grocers, or specialty food markets.Or swap them for regular white sesame seeds.
- Other ingredients: Cornstarch, spray oil, and cilantro.
- Orange sauce: Honey, orange juice and orange zest, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and a garlic clove.
What to serve with orange sesame chicken
A simple and delicious way to serve this up is with some steaming basmati rice (or cauliflower rice!) with orange slices and vegetables, like roasted broccoli or some spicy long beans.
You can also mix it up and detour from classic rice, and make a pineapple fried rice or serve it over some sesame zoodles (zucchini noodles), or incorporate it into sesame chicken bowls!
Other side dishes that complement the flavors include a ramen noodle salad or Asian slaw.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use another cut of chicken?
Sure! This recipe works best with skinless, boneless chicken thighs, as they’re tender and juicy. You can also use chicken breasts or bone-in chicken thighs. Note that the cooking times vary for different cuts. You can use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I store leftover orange sesame chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or in a freezer-proof container in the freezer for up to three months.
Baked Sesame Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Spray oil
- Cilantro (to serve)
Orange Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- Juice and zest from 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 inch piece of ginger (finely minced)
- 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a shallow bowl, mix the sesame seeds and cornstarch.¼ cup black sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip each piece of chicken into the cornstarch so it is well coated on all sides. Put the breaded chicken on the baking sheet and spray the top with oil. If there are any sesame seeds left in the bowl, sprinkle them on top of the chicken. Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, until it is cooked through.8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, Spray oil
- While the chicken is baking, make the sauce. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small pan over medium-high heat. Boil for 4-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.¼ cup honey, Juice and zest from 1 orange, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1 inch piece of ginger, 1 clove garlic
- Remove the chicken from the oven and liberally brush the top of each piece with the sauce – any extra sauce can be used as a dip. Turn your oven to broil, and then put the chicken back into the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with cilantro, and dig in!Cilantro
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
More sticky chicken recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of our dinner ideas!
I used flour rather than tapioca flour.
I tripled the sauce. Reserved 1/4 cup +/- to make gravy by adding 1 Tablespoon cornstarch (or flour) to thicken and served on the side.
Served with wild rice and steamed broccoli