Description
This Grilled Sesame Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful sesame ginger sauce with garlic, soy sauce, tahini, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. Perfectly grilled to capture a smoky char and garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds, it’s a versatile dish that can be served with salads, grain bowls, or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (preferably toasted sesame oil)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
To Garnish
- Sliced green onion
- Additional sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, tahini, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, freshly grated ginger, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse, or up to 24 hours for deeper taste.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure a hot cooking surface, which will help achieve a nice char and seal in the juices.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, flipping once. The chicken is done when an internal meat thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it is safely cooked but still juicy. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the grilled chicken from the heat and let it rest briefly. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of additional sesame seeds before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with salads, grain bowls, or as a standalone main course.
Notes
- This recipe yields juicy and delicious grilled sesame chicken with a simple yet flavorful sesame ginger marinade.
- Marinating the chicken for longer (up to 24 hours) enhances flavor and tenderness.
- You can also bake the chicken if grilling is not an option, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Serve the chicken alongside a fresh salad, steamed vegetables, or rice bowls for a complete meal.
- Use low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos to keep the sodium content moderate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 oz chicken)
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 9.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.1 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 27.9 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
