Asian Chicken Marinade: a simple recipe that's BIG on flavor! Serve this chicken on bowls, in wraps, over salads, and more!

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This recipe was originally published on April 28, 2019. It was updated on May 26, 2021.

Make delicious and healthy chicken the whole family will love with this Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe. This chicken is savory, tender, and full of flavor. You'll love it because it's easy to make and versatile!

Tried and true chicken recipes are popular around here. I know that most of you have made and love my Spicy Honey Chicken Marinade Recipe and my Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe, so I figured it was due time that I created an Asian Chicken Marinade!

When it came to an Asian chicken recipe, I knew I wanted to develop a recipe that's simple to make, made with easy-to-find ingredients, and always delicious. The kind of chicken recipe that you would be proud to serve at a weekend barbecue but that's also easy enough to make during a busy week.

And an easy this recipe is! Just whisk up the simple marinade together in a large mixing bowl, add the chicken and turn to coat, and marinate.

For weekdays, you can even toss the chicken in the marinade in the morning before you leave for work (or the evening before if you're really on it!).

Then, of course, this grilled sesame chicken is also a meal prep dream! Whip up a batch or two of this chicken on a Sunday night and enjoy it throughout the week. The marinade keeps the chicken juicy and tender and the flavor never gets old.

Make this recipe with any cut of chicken. I offer directions for boneless and skinless chicken breasts and thighs, as they marinate and cook up quickly, but this recipe is also friendly to bone-in chicken. Just add cooking accordingly, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Well enough talking about the food. Let's get cooking, shall we? Enjoy this favorite chicken recipe, my friends!

What does Asian grilled chicken taste like?

This chicken tastes savory and nutty with notes of ginger and garlic. It's juicy and salty and has a lightly sweet finish.

Ingredients:

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts
• Reduced sodium soy sauce
• Rice vinegar - you can find this at most major grocery stores, Trader Joe's, and Whole foods
• Lime juice - fresh is best but bottled also works
• Honey
• Toasted sesame oil - this can also be found at most major grocery store chains, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods
• Ginger powder
• Garlic powder

Substitutions:

• Sweetener - agave nectar can substitute for honey
• Soy sauce - coconut liquid aminos can work in place of the soy sauce; using aminos will make this recipe gluten-free
• Ginger & garlic - fresh spices can substitute for the dried; use 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger and 1 minced garlic clove

How to make this Asian marinade for chicken:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients until combined.
2. Add the chicken to the marinade and turn to coat.
3. Marinate the chicken for 2 hours- 24 hours.
4. Add the chicken to a preheated grill and cook until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Remove the chicken from the grill. Cover and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve the chicken warm.

Recipe pro-tips:

• Turn the chicken in the marinade: for the best results, turn the chicken in the marinade halfway through the marinating time. This will help the marinade to penetrate the chicken evenly.
• Marinate the chicken for as long as possible: this will give the best flavor to the chicken. To give the best flavor in the shortest amount of time, cut the chicken into halves or thirds. The increased surface area of the chicken allow it to marinate faster.
• Adjust the spiciness to your liking: use as much or as little red pepper as you like. ⅛ teaspoon will add dimension to the marinade without adding heat whereas ½ teaspoon will add a little kick.

Asian chicken recipe FAQs:

Options for cooking this chicken:

• Grilling: cook up delicious grilled sesame chicken by following the directions below on the recipe card.
• Stovetop: preheat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium or medium-high heat. Spray the pan with non-stick spray or add 2 teaspoons avocado or olive oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add to the pan. Grill for 8-11 minutes, flipping every 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Baking: pour the chicken and the marinade into an 8 x 13-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake the chicken uncovered in an oven preheated to 425 degrees for 18-22 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Serving suggestions:

Serve this chicken with rice, garlic angel hair pasta, crispy air fryer potatoes, and any of your favorite veggie sides. I recommend sautéed spinach, stir-fried snap peas, air fryer green beans, or steamed veggies.

Dietary adaptations:

• Gluten-free: substituting coconut liquid aminos or tamari for the soy sauce makes this recipe gluten-free
• Processed sugar-free: use raw honey to keep this recipe processed sugar-free

Storage Directions:

• Refrigeration: leftovers store covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days
• Freezing: leftover chicken does not freeze well

Tools needed for this recipe:

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Whisk
• Grill, grill pan, or non-stick skillet
• Grill tongs or spatula

More great grilling & marinade recipes:

• Jamaican Turkey Burgers
• The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Curried Yogurt Marinated Chicken
• Sweet Chili Lime Chicken
• Rubbed Turmeric Chicken
• Cuban Chicken
• Stovetop glazed honey garlic chicken thigh recipe

More Asian-inspired recipes:

• Sweet Soy Tri-Tip Steak Marinade
• Orange Ground Beef Stir-Fry
• House Special Fried Rice
• Asian Pork Meatballs

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