Asian Marinated Chicken Recipe

Knockout Asian marinated chicken awaits, so are you ready for a recipe that's incredibly delicious and easy to make?

chicken marinade recipe details

Craving a taste of Asia?

Get ready for juicy, flavor-packed chicken thighs marinated in a simple yet irresistible blend of Asian-inspired ingredients.

This recipe guarantees a delicious and easy-to-make meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

ingredient and directions details

Okay, so you wanna make this awesome Asian marinated chicken, right? Let's round up what we need!

First, grab 1 to 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets. I think the thighs will give you the best results. For the marinade, you'll need 3 cloves of minced garlic—don't skimp!—and 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger. Then, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup and oyster sauce, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons of Chinese cooking wine, or Mirin. Much like a salmon glaze, the right balance of flavors is key.

Now, for some heat, 1 to 3 tablespoons of Sriracha, to your taste. Don't forget 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.

For cooking and garnish—'cause presentation matters! —2 teaspoons of oil, sesame seeds, and some finely sliced shallots or green onions. Boom! You're ready to go!

Instructions

concise instruction following challenge solved

Now, I'm gonna walk you through making this delicious Asian marinated chicken. First up, mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl—garlic, ginger, soy sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine (or Mirin), Sriracha, brown sugar, and sesame oil! I told you it has a lot of flavor, right? Much like how people love spicy chili chicken, this marinade offers flavorful options.

Next, add your chicken to the marinade, and make sure it's all coated. You've gotta chuck it into the fridge for at least an hour—or even better, overnight, so the flavors really soak in!

When you're ready to cook, heat a little oil in a skillet or on the BBQ. I like medium-high heat 'cause that's quick. Add the chicken, and cook each side 'til it's golden brown and cooked through—that's about 3 minutes per side. Make sure you let the chicken rest a bit before serving.

Recipe Notes

recipe specific details noted

Before you get cooking, let's chat about some super handy recipe notes. I think you'll find them really helpful!

You can totally bake this in the oven at 350F (180C) for about 20 minutes. Grilling or broiling works too—whatever floats your boat!

Consider making these as skewers. It's like a little chicken party on a stick, and who doesn't love a party?

Want to prep ahead? Toss the chicken and marinade in a freezer bag. Freeze it! It marinates as it freezes and defrosts. Then, cook it as directed later. I don't recommend freezing cooked chicken though; the marinade flavor kinda fades. It's a bit sad, I won't lie.

Substitutions

replace existing elements carefully

Let's explore into a bit of kitchen wizardry—I'm talking substitutions! Don't have an ingredient? No sweat!

For garlic and ginger, 1 teaspoon of the powdered version works, though fresh is best. Soy sauce variations—light, dark, or all-purpose—are fine! Fish sauce? Okay, but use just 1 1/2 tablespoons, it's saltier. Tomato ketchup? Aussie tomato sauce does the trick!

Oyster sauce can be swapped with hoisin sauce—it has a mild Chinese 5 Spice Powder flavor. Chinese cooking wine—AKA Shaoxing Cooking Wine—is key, but Mirin is great. If you're skipping alcohol, use 2 tablespoons of chicken broth plus 1 extra tablespoon of oyster sauce. Sneaky, right?

Sriracha? Any chili paste works! Brown sugar, white sugar, honey, or maple syrup, are all dandy. No sesame oil? No worries—leave it out!

Short Recipe Version

Asian Marinated Chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Place chicken in a resealable bag or container. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring it's fully coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight.
  3. Preheat grill or oven to medium-high heat.
  4. Grill or bake chicken until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side on the grill, or 20-25 minutes in the oven at 375°F (190°C).
  5. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrition Information (per serving, estimates):

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 35g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g