If you crave Chinese takeout as much as I do, make these quick and delicious Sesame Chicken Thighs instead of reaching for your phone. The deep nutty flavor of sesame oil softens the sweetness of maple syrup in this sweet and savory dish. I like to serve them with a steamed and buttered vegetable like broccoli and cauliflower “rice” for a hearty meal. Add optional sesame seeds for a presentation that rivals your local take-out.
FOR 4 PEOPLE
PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES COOKING TIME: 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 25 MINUTES
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar free maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Addresses
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. In a bowl large enough to hold the chicken, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Reserve about a quarter of the sauce.
3. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, skin side up. Dip in the soy sauce. Refrigerate to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to broil.
5. Remove chicken from refrigerator. Place the thighs skin side down in the baking dish.
6. Place the dish in the preheated oven, about six inches from the broiler. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes with the oven door slightly ajar. Flip the chicken skin side up. Grill for about 2 more minutes.
7. Turn the chicken over again so that it is now skin side down. Move the baking dish to the bottom rack of the oven. Close the oven door and roast for another 6 to 8 minutes.
8. Flip the chicken again skin side up. Bathe with the reserved sauce. Close the oven door and roast for 2 more minutes.
9. Remove chicken from oven. Using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature. It should reach at least 165°F.
10. Chill chicken for 5 minutes before serving.
PERFECT POULTRY
PER SERVING (1 THIGH)
PROPORTION: 3:1
CALORIES: 360
TOTAL FAT: 26g
CARBOHYDRATES: 2.2g
NET CARBS: 2.2g
FIBER: 0g
PROTEIN: 27.1g
FRUGAL FRIENDLY TIP: On keto, bone-in chicken thighs are preferable to boneless chicken thighs. Bone-in chicken thighs are usually cheaper and are sold in bulk. Stock up on bone-in thighs, and if a recipe calls for boneless chicken comes up, debone the thighs and reserve the bones for your homemade chicken broth.