Take your chicken dinner to the next level with these irresistibly flavorful Sesame Sweet Legs! This easy, oven-baked chicken recipe features tender and juicy chicken legs coated in a glossy, sweet-and-savory sesame glaze. A marinade made from soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and fresh ginger ensures each bite is bursting with bold flavor, while sesame oil and seeds bring a nutty richness. The final touch—a quick caramelization in the oven—delivers perfectly crispy skin with a sticky, lacquered finish. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, these chicken legs are a show-stopping entrée that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Serve them with steamed rice or fresh veggies for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal! Keywords: sesame sweet legs recipe, baked chicken legs, sticky chicken glaze, easy chicken dinner, sesame chicken dish.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel and season them on all sides with salt and black pepper.
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk well to make the marinade.
Place the chicken legs in a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all legs are coated. Reserve the other half for later. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours if time allows.
Arrange the marinated chicken legs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
While the chicken is baking, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce to thicken it. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, brush each piece generously with the thickened sesame glaze.
Return the glazed chicken to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
Remove the chicken legs from the oven and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish.
Serve hot with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your Sesame Sweet Legs!
Calories |
2225 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 128.9 g | 165% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.8 g | 164% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 907 mg | 302% | |
| Sodium | 5575 mg | 242% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 85.9 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 67.5 g | ||
| Protein | 178.2 g | 356% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 174 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 12.4 mg | 69% | |
| Potassium | 2264 mg | 48% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.