Asian Grilled Chicken is one of those perfect blends of flavors that is just magical. It is sweet, warm and umami. This dish is a perfect weeknight dinner or a showstopper for your next barbecue.
Plus, you can make the marinade in advance and have it ready to go when you want a delicious Asian inspired meal.
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Why This Asian Grilled Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
This Asian Grilled chicken is so versatile. It is perfect to pair with so many different side dishes and honestly, it only takes a few minutes to prep and then dinner will almost makes itself.
- 30 Minute Meal: Prep the Grilled Asian Chicken in advance and then cook in less than 30 minutes. Everyone will love this recipe for Asian Grilled Chicken.
- Super Simple Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge. No need to run to a specialty market for the best grilled chicken.
- Family Friendly: Sticky, sweet and spicy. It is always a hit with the family. This is a great recipe that produces tender grilled chicken every time.
If you’re looking for more Asian inspired recipes, try these Asian Coleslaw, Asian Burger and Asian Pork Meatballs.
What flavors do you consider Asian?
With a continent as large as Asia, the flavors are truly diverse. However, some common themes are Rice vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame and miso.
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Ingredient Notes for Asian Marinade
This chicken looks as good as it tastes and uses simple ingredients.
- Low sodium Soy Sauce: No need for high sodium, the low sodium works great here.
- Sherry or chicken broth: The sherry makes it decadent but the broth is great too.
- Fresh Ginger Root: Yes use the fresh here, not the dehydrated powder,
- Garlic
- Use Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: The dark meat in boneless chicken thighs adds real flavor and moisture to the dish.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Flavorful, Juicy Chicken Breast
- Marinade: Place the chicken in a ziplock bag and let the chicken marinate in the fridge until ready to grill.
Special Equipment Needed for the Asian Chicken Recipe
- Grill: It will make those wonderful grill marks that everyone loves.
Pro Tip to Cook Chicken
Instead of placing the chicken directly over the high heat source, cook it on the cooler side of the grill with the lid closed. This method prevents the outside from burning while the inside cooks through evenly.
How to Make Asian Chicken Marinade
These are the basic steps for making best grilled chicken. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Prep the Asian Chicken Marinade and Add the Chicken
First, in a small bowl,whisk the first six ingredients. Then reserve 1 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate. Add chicken, making sure it is completely covered. Marinated the chicken and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat the Grill to Medium High Heat and Grill the Chicken
Next, cook chicken on the grill until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees internally (depending on thickness of chicken 8 to 12 minutes) when meat thermometer inserted to the thickest part of the breast.
3. Baste with Chicken Marinade and Garnish
Lastly, baste with leftover marinade during the last 5 minutes. Let the chicken rest. Finish with chopped green onions, cilantro or sesame seeds.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers and to Love this Recipe
It is such an easy recipe to make. When the chicken is done there are so many things you can make with it.
- Storing: Place chicken in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Reheating: When ready to eat, you can reheat by placing the chicken breast in a large pan on the stove top.
- Using Leftovers: I love to use this recipe for salads, casseroles or other new recipes.
Variations and Substitutions for Grilled Asian Chicken
- Flavor the Asian Chicken Recipe: Feel free to add your favorite Asian flavors to the marinade, such as hoisin sauce, lime juice, lemon juice or five-spice powder.
- Grilled Chicken Breast: Replace the chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Spicy: Sriracha or red pepper flake adds some wonderful heat for a spicy asian chicken.
- Grill Pan: You can make this chicken on the grill or use a grill pan to make it on the stove top.
Make at Home Chicken Recipe FAQs
The most reliable way to determine if chicken is cooked through is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Place into the thickest part of the meat.
Always store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Indeed, some rice wine vinegar will add a hit of acid to this dish, use your favorite variety. Some lime juice or lemon juice is great as well.
Of course, you can freeze the chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Expert Tips to Make and Marinate Chicken Recipe
This chicken recipe is super tender. You can use leftovers for salads, sandwiches or other easy dinner recipes.
- Add Honey: In place of the ketchup or as well as the ketchup for a sweet tangy taste to the chicken pieces.
- Short cut tip: Grill with a little sesame oil and rice to enhance the asian flavor in this easy Asian chicken.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Cook in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for tender and flavorful chicken.
- Dietary consideration tip: Chicken tenders, breaded or plain, chicken breasts or bone in thighs can all be great for this menu.
- Double: Double the recipe so you have extra marinade to add to your rice and vegetables.
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Asian Grilled Chicken
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- ½ cup Ketchup
- ½ cup Reduced-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup Sherry or chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Fresh ginger root, minced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic, minced
- 2 pounds Boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the first six ingredients. Reserve 1 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate. Pour remaining marinade over chicken, making sure it is completely covered. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
- Grill chicken until no longer pink, basting with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Honey: In place of the ketchup or as well as the ketchup for a sweet tangy taste.
- Short cut tip: Grill with a little sesame oil to enhance the asian flavor.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add as many tips as you need in this section
- Alternate cooking method tip: Cook in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Dietary consideration tip: Chicken tenders, breaded or plain, chicken breasts or bone in thighs can all be used for this menu.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
Great flavor in this chicken marinade!
I love the kick from the fresh ginger and garlic in the marinade. Delish on the chicken!