Sesame Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions Recipe
This Sesame Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions is a flavorful and quick oven-baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in toasted sesame oil and soy sauce, topped with sweet apricot preserves and spicy chili crisp. The charred scallions add a smoky depth that perfectly complements the balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Served with rice and optional fresh vegetables like cucumbers, this dish is an easy, restaurant-quality meal you can make at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 10 cracks freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
Vegetables and Toppings
- 10 scallions, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- A few tablespoons of chili crisp
To Serve
- Rice (cooked)
- Optional: cucumbers or any other fresh vegetables
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and position a rack in the top third of the oven to prepare for baking.
- Prep the Scallions: Slice the scallions in half lengthwise to ensure they char nicely when cooked.
- Prepare the Chicken: Horizontally slice the chicken breasts into thinner pieces to promote even cooking. Place the chicken pieces on a sheet pan and season them evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle the toasted sesame oil and reduced-sodium soy sauce over the chicken, spreading the flavors thoroughly.
- Toss the Scallions: Lightly coat the halved scallions with some of the sesame oil to enhance charring and flavor during baking.
- Assemble for Baking: Arrange the scallions on top of the seasoned chicken pieces on the sheet pan, ensuring even coverage.
- Bake: Place the sheet pan on the oven rack positioned in the upper third and bake for 6 minutes. This initial baking will begin cooking the chicken and soften the scallions.
- Broil for Char: Switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Watch carefully to achieve a slight charring on the scallions and to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Add Toppings: Immediately after broiling, spoon apricot preserves and chili crisp over each piece of chicken while still hot, allowing the preserves to melt slightly and blend with the chili’s heat.
- Serve: Plate the chicken topped with charred scallions alongside cooked rice, drizzling any extra pan juices over the dish or adding a little more sesame oil and soy sauce if desired. Optionally, serve with fresh cucumbers or other vegetables to complement the meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and keep the dish balanced.
- Adjust the amount of chili crisp based on your desired spice level.
- Apricot preserves add a sweet contrast; substitute with another fruit preserve like peach or apricot jam if preferred.
- For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate briefly in the sesame oil and soy sauce before baking, if time allows.
Keywords: Sesame Apricot Chicken, Charred Scallions, Oven Baked Chicken, Asian Inspired Chicken, Apricot Preserves Chicken, Easy Weeknight Dinner
