Sesame Broiled Chicken Thighs – Easy Keto Dinner Recipe

If you crave Chinese takeout as much as I do, try making these quick and delicious sesame broiled chicken thighs instead of reaching for your phone. The deep, nutty flavor of sesame oil balances the sweetness of maple syrup in this sweet and savory dish. 

I like serving these chicken thighs with steamed, buttered vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower rice for a satisfying low-carb meal. For an extra touch, sprinkle sesame seeds on top for a presentation that rivals your favorite takeout restaurant.

Serves 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook 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 soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and set them aside.

In a bowl large enough to hold the chicken, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Reserve about one quarter of the sauce for later.

Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade, placing them skin-side up. Submerge them in the sauce and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to marinate.

Preheat the oven to broil.

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and place the thighs skin-side down in a baking dish.

Place the dish in the oven about six inches from the broiler. Broil for 5 to 6 minutes with the oven door slightly ajar. Turn the chicken skin-side up and broil for about 2 minutes more.

Turn the chicken again so it is skin-side down. Move the baking dish to the bottom rack of the oven, close the oven door, and broil for another 6 to 8 minutes.

Turn the chicken skin-side up again and baste with the reserved sauce. Close the oven door and broil for 2 more minutes.

Remove the chicken from the oven and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach at least 165°F.

Allow the chicken to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition (Per Serving – 1 Thigh)

Ratio: 3:1
Calories: 360
Total Fat: 26 g
Carbohydrates: 2.2 g
Net Carbs: 2.2 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 27.1 g

Frugal Friendly Tip

On keto, bone-in chicken thighs are often a better option than boneless ones. They are usually cheaper and frequently sold in bulk. You can stock up on bone-in thighs and debone them if a recipe requires boneless chicken. Save the bones to make homemade chicken stock for soups and sauces.