Spice up dinner with this Marinated Grilled Asian Chicken! Juicy chicken marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, palm sugar, garlic, and ginger, grilled to perfection and served with caramelized pineapple over fluffy white rice.
You'll love my other grilled chicken recipes- Moroccan grilled chicken, grilled chicken salad, grilled chicken burger, and this Asian grilled chicken skewers with honey garlic sauce.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Flavorful Marinade: The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger creates a rich and savory marinade that deeply penetrates the chicken.
- Tender Chicken: Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours ensures it remains juicy and flavorful.
- Grilled Pineapple: The addition of grilled pineapple adds a sweet and tangy contrast that complements the savory chicken.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry ingredients that are easy to find and affordable.
- Healthy and Balanced: Provides a good balance of protein, carbs, and flavors without being too heavy.
🧾 Ingredients notes
- Soy Sauce: Adds salty, umami flavor to the marinade.
- Sesame Oil: Contributes a nutty flavor and richness.
- Palm Sugar (or Brown Sugar): Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note.
- Rice Vinegar (optional): Adds a tangy flavor for extra depth.
- Chicken Breasts: Lean protein, absorbs the marinade well.
- Pineapple Slices: Adds sweetness and tang when grilled.
- Cooked White Rice: Serves as a neutral base to complement the flavorful chicken.
- Chopped Green Onions: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor for garnish.
- Sesame Seeds: Adds a subtle crunch and nutty flavor for garnish.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Easy Marinated Asian Grilled Chicken recipe step-by-step
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, palm sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar is dissolved.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
- Grill the pineapple: While grilling the chicken, place the pineapple slices on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized and grill marks appear.
- Serve: Serve the grilled chicken over a bed of white rice. Top with grilled pineapple slices. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
📖 Substitutions and variations
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Alternative Sweeteners: Substitute palm sugar with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar.
- Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade for a spicy version.
- Different Protein: Try the marinade with tofu, shrimp, or pork chops.
- Vegetarian Option: Use the marinade on grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Tenderize the Chicken: Lightly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating. This ensures even cooking and tenderizes the meat, allowing it to absorb the marinade more effectively.
- Basting for Extra Flavor: Reserve a small amount of the marinade before adding the chicken, and use it to baste the chicken during the last few minutes of grilling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Presentation Tip: Slice the chicken against the grain before serving. This makes the chicken more tender and easier to eat, while also giving a professional presentation.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Store the cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Place the chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container for longer storage and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, place the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave until hot.
❓Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use chicken thighs or drumsticks. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they are cooked through.
Yes, you can use a grill pan on the stovetop or bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Yes, you can freeze the chicken in the marinade. Place the chicken and marinade in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before grilling.
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
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Easy Marinated Asian Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar, or brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, optional for extra tang
For the chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
For serving:
- 1 cup pineapple slices, grilled
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the marinade:
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, palm sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar is dissolved.
Marinate the chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
Grill the chicken:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off.
- Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
- While grilling the chicken, place the pineapple slices on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized and grill marks appear.
Serve:
- Serve the grilled chicken over a bed of white rice.
- Top with grilled pineapple slices.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Marinating Time: The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be. Overnight marinating is highly recommended.
- Palm Sugar Substitute: If you don’t have palm sugar, don't worry. Brown sugar is a versatile alternative that will still bring out the sweetness in your dish.
- Rice Options: For a healthier twist, substitute white rice with brown rice or cauliflower rice.
- Grilling Tip: If you don't have an outdoor grill, you can cook the chicken and pineapple in a grill pan or broiler.
- Extra Sauce: For additional flavor, reserve some of the marinade (before adding the chicken) and simmer it until it thickens to use as a sauce for drizzling over the finished dish.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and step-by-step instructions along with tips and tricks that I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
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