Give this Sesame Soy Chicken a try if you’re looking for maximum, crazy-good, and flavorful chicken. This Asian-forward chicken marinade features soy sauce, sesame oil, five spice powder, and more. We’ll marinate the chicken in an easy blend of ingredients and then finish on the stovetop (or grill!). The results are juicy chicken with deeply fragrant, umami-bomb flavor that hits…mmm!

sesame soy chicken on plate with brown linen on the side

Y’all, I love me a good chicken recipe, yes indeed, I sure do. I’ve been testing all kinds of chicken marinades this summer, and this sesame soy chicken is a household favorite! If you’re a longtime reader, you know how much I love Asian-inspired flavors. My Creamy Braised Short Ribs and these Bao Buns are some of my most beloved recipes on the site.

This sesame soy chicken is right up there, too…

chopped sesame chicken on cutting board

Sesame Soy Chicken! 🔥

A good marinade is one of the tricks to achieve the best-tasting meats, and that’s just a fact mmkay. The flavors of soy, sesame, and a few others create an umami-bomb, deeply infused chicken. A solid marinade ensures that flavor penetrates the meat as opposed to simply seasoning the outside only.

This chicken is incredibly juicy and tender and super succulent, goodness gracious. All you gotta do is pour the marinade over the chicken, let it rest, and then cook. BOOM…it’s easy as 1, 2, 3!

ingredients for sesame soy chicken in bowls

What You’ll Need Here:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • Chicken thighs: The boneless/skinless variety. I highly recommend chicken thighs because of their dark meat nature; juicier chicken with greater flavor.
  • Marinade components: Soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, five spice powder, and red pepper flakes.
raw chicken thighs marinating in sesame soy sauce in baking dish
cooked chicken thighs in green skillet

How To Make Sesame Soy Chicken:

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

  1. Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken into a shallow baking dish. Add the marinade ingredients and toss the chicken until well combined and fully coated. Transfer the chicken to the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours.
  2. Cook & finish the chicken. In a large oil-slicked skillet over medium-high heat, work in batches to sear the chicken on both sides until cooked through. Then add all of the chicken thighs back into the skillet with the reserved marinade, and let the mixture come up to a slight boil. Once the marinade/glaze achieves a glossy, thicker texture, remove the skillet from heat.
chopped sesame soy chicken on cutting board with knife

Finishing & Serving:

Transfer the saucy chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Garnish the chicken with sesame seeds for a little razzle dazzle if you’d like! From here, you can serve as desired alongside your favorite sides or slice up the chicken and make our Hibachi Chicken Bowls! 😛

sesame soy chicken with rice and veggies in bowl

Tips + Tricks & More Recipe Notes:

More information you might find helpful about this recipe:

  • Can I use chicken breasts here?– Sure thing!
  • Can I use a grill for this recipe?– Yes! I love making this sesame soy chicken recipe on the grill, too! >> Here’s how…Preheat the grill with the direct heat method to 400°F (medium-high heat) and lightly grease the grates. Shake off excess marinade and add the chicken to the hot grates. Let the chicken grill with the lid closed for about 5-7 minutes per side or until the chicken registers at least 165°F when checked with an internal meat thermometer. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and let it simmer on the grill (or stovetop over medium-low heat) until heated through, about 10-12 minutes.
chopped chicken with fried rice and veggies in bowl with chopsticks

This Sesame Soy Chicken is deeply flavorful, succulent as heck, and so dang delicious! Ain’t no boring chicken here. Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

More flavorful dishes:

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sesame soy chicken on plate with brown linen on the side

Next-Level, Juicy Sesame Soy Chicken

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  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
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Description

Give this Sesame Soy Chicken a try if you’re looking for maximum, crazy-good, and flavorful chicken. This Asian-forward chicken marinade features soy sauce, sesame oil, five spice powder, and more. We’ll marinate the chicken in an easy blend of ingredients and then finish on the stovetop (or grill!). The results are juicy chicken with deeply fragrant, umami-bomb flavor that hits…mmm!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless/skinless chicken thighs
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup seasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, divided
  • ½ teaspoon five spice powder
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish- optional

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and then place them into a shallow baking dish or resealable plastic bag. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, five spice powder, and red pepper flakes. Toss the chicken with the marinade until well combined and fully coated. 
  2. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag. Transfer the chicken to the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight for the best results. Right before cooking, set the chicken on the counter to come up to room temperature, for about 20-30 minutes.
  3. Cook the chicken. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the 1 tablespoon sesame oil. When hot, gently swirl the skillet to evenly coat the bottom. Working in batches- remove the chicken from the marinade (but do not discard), shaking off excess, and place the chicken thighs into the skillet. Let the chicken sear, undisturbed, until deeply golden with a nice sear- about 5-6 minutes. Then use tongs to flip the chicken onto the other side to continue cooking for 2-3 minutes or until the chicken registers at least 165°F when checked with an internal thermometer. Place the cooked chicken onto a clean plate and repeat the process until all the pieces are cooked through. Then reduce the heat to medium-low.
  4. Finish with marinade/glaze. Add all of the chicken thighs back into the skillet and pour the reserved marinade over the chicken, and let the mixture come up to a slight boil while spooning the marinade over the chicken every so often. Once the marinade/glaze achieves a glossy, thicker texture, remove the skillet from heat.
  5. Serve. Transfer the saucy chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Then serve as desired or slice the chicken into pieces and make our Hibachi Chicken Bowls. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.

Recipe by: Quin Liburd- Butter Be Ready

Photography by: Ashley McLaughlin