Sesame Ginger Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Succulent sesame ginger chicken is coated with sesame and ginger and then baked to perfection. You'll get savory-sweet, sticky, and umami-rich bites with hints of nuttiness and a zingy kick from the ginger. It's the ultimate dinner for busy weeknights ā with just five minutes of prep time, you'll have a healthy and flavor-packed dinner in the oven!
Rich, nutty, and crunchy sesame is just so good sprinkled over some chicken! Try this sesame orange chicken or these sesame chicken bowls next.
Biting into this sesame ginger chicken is heaven: it has lots of crispiness on the outside yet is so tender and juicy in the middle. It also has that whole salty yet sweet thing going on that is so common in Asian-style recipes. It's perfect for when you're craving take-out but want a lighter, cleaner version. Plus, it takes about the same amount of time to make as ordering food!
It is also so simple to make. With about 5 minutes of prep, you can pop the sesame ginger chicken into your oven and let it cook itself. So easy!
Ingredients needed
This sesame ginger chicken uses a handful of wholesome ingredients yet packs a punch of flavor! Gather these items:
- Chicken: Use chicken drumsticks or thighs ā we like it with the bone and skin on!
- Sesame oil: Echos and deepens the sesame flavor.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Toasting the seeds creates a rich, nutty flavor.
- Brown sugar:Ā Sweetens things up and caramelizes for a glaze-y finish.
- Powdered ginger:Ā Brings a little zest with a warm and slightly spicy note.
- Salt:Ā Enhances and balances out all the other flavors.
- Garlic cloves: For savory depth.
- Minced parsley or cilantro:Ā Adds a fresh and herbaceous note.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): If you want to add a bit of heat, add cayenne pepper to taste.
How to make sesame ginger chicken
Get ready to lick your fingers after enjoying this succulent sesame ginger chicken! It's also super easy ā you could probably do it in less than the five minutes we've suggested! These are the instructions:
- Prep: While your oven preheats, prep a baking sheet or shallow baking dish. Toss your chicken in a bowl with the sesame oil. In another small bowl combine all the remaining ingredients, sprinkling over the chicken and tossing to spread the flavors around.
- Bake: Place the chicken on the baking pan, skin-side up, baking until it's golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Serve with some garnishes sprinkled on top!
What to serve with sesame ginger chicken
This ginger sesame chicken works as a standalone meal on top of a bed of pineapple fried rice, ginger rice, or coconut rice and next to some sauteed bok choy, sesame garlic miso butter mushrooms, or Asian eggplant. An Asian coleslaw, soy ginger noodles, or sweet potato roll sushi bowl make complementary side dishes, too!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use fresh ginger instead?
Sure, it may just take a little bit longer to peel and grate fresh ginger, but if you have the time then feel free to use fresh ginger. If you're using fresh ginger, add it to the bowl with the sesame oil.
Can I make sesame ginger chicken spicy?
You sure can! Use cayenne pepper to taste, serve with chili sauces on the side, or sprinkle on some chili flakes. If you really like some heat, add a little sambal oelek to the bowl with the sesame oil.
How do I store leftovers?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you're storing it for longer, put it in the freezer for up to three months and thaw it in the fridge a day before reheating.
Can I add anything else?
A lot of recipes can call for other flavors we associate with Asian cooking, like rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, or hoisin sauce. We've kept it simple, and the brown sugar and sesame sauce caramelize beautifully ā but feel free to add a splash of another flavor, if you'd like, as the recipe is versatile.
More baked chicken recipes
Sesame Ginger Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks or thighs
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Minced parsley or cilanto (to serve)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken in a medium-sized bowl and toss with the sesame oil. In a small bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over the chicken and toss to coat.8 chicken drumsticks or thighs, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons powdered ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 cloves garlic, Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Place chicken on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side up, and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is brown and crispy and the chicken is no longer pink inside.
- Serve with a little minced parsley or cilantro over top.Minced parsley or cilanto
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our dinner recipes!
I have been pretty much making all of your recipes this week! I got in a rut of making the same things every week and your blog has spiced up our menu! These are currently in the oven and smell phenomenal! Making your Lemon Lime Loaf next! Thank you for the inspo!
You totally made my day! Thank you so much!!
Those wings look so delectable!
Thank you! They are pretty crazy delicious. š
This was really good and super easy to make. I did not have brown sugar so I just mixed the oil with teriyaki sauce. If anyone does with this substitution, add less to no salt.
My husband and I loved it!
Thank you!
What a great idea for the substitution. Thank you for sharing that!
My grandma bought way too much chicken and that was the only meat in tgr freezer. My mom had sesame oil so I googled sesame oil chicken recipe and this popped up. Like many others, I wish I had the seeds for garnish and crunch but it was awesome without it! The chicken legs were very plump and juicy! The temperate and time were perfect! Everybody was happy and there wasn’t a leg left. Only my mom is a baby when it comes to the slightest bit of heat and I did do the optional cayenne pepper. But she still ate a lot of it so I know it was a success. So easy and cheap to make. We will be eating this again. Oh I also added more sesame oil to my legs while I ate them.
Thanks for the feedback, Alexandria. So happy you and your family enjoyed it!
Score! I was so wanting to make something like this, and yours was the first recipe that didn’t call for honey or soya sauce. Soya sauce would have made this too wet, and honey is expensive and I didn’t have any. Using brown sugar, salt and sesame oil instead is brilliant. The sesame seeds were nice and chewy, with a slight crunch, and the meat texture (small drumsticks) was perfect. Yummy yummy. My guy loved it too and asked for the recipe š
Thank you for the awesome feedback! I haven’t actually made this dish in a while so your comment made me think of it again. Think I’ll be making it this week. Thank you for remaining me about it š
Will try it today. Expecting standing ovations from my family š
Thanks and best wishes from Germany
Let’s make that “an edition.” I’m so hungry that I cannot type.
I’m making and ‘edition of this as I write. While I AGREE with your skin and bone comment, thigh meat was all I had available today and I WANTED a sesame/ginger (garlic) chicken dish tonight. Period! I don’t have any ginger powder, but I’ll bet that the grated fresh ginger used will be just fine. Exactly what I was looking for, it is not quite ready, but smells wonderful. Thank you!