Sweet n’ Spicy Sesame Grilled Chicken Thighs

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These grilled chicken thighs get coated in a sweet n’ salty marinade that then gets turned into a thick glaze that you’ll use to brush on top of the chicken as they grill. While this isn’t a meal on its own, try it sliced up on top of a crunchy slaw or simple salad or throw some veggies on the grill with the chicken for an easy grilling meal.

Ingredient Highlight

Chicken thighs! The nutrition in thighs is similar to breasts, but has a higher fat content. Chicken is a great way to get in easy protein that’s packed with selenium, choline, niacin (Vitamin B3), and vitamin B6, and B12.

I will always choose chicken thighs over breasts for two reasons. Reason one: chicken thighs have higher fat content and are way more flavorful. Reason two: chicken thighs are pretty much impossible to overcook.

Servings 6 People
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or use apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch or tapioca starch*
  • *I prefer cornstarch here because it’s less gloppy, but both work.
  • No grill? Roast the chicken in a 450F oven for about 10-15 minutes, brushing the glaze on during the last 3 minutes

Instructions

  • Heat your grill on high heat for at least 10 minutes, then reduce to medium-high.
  • In a small microwavable bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, sesame, and honey. The honey doesn’t mix in very well unless it’s warm, so pop the marinade in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and mix again. Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and add it to a medium bowl along with the chicken and toss to coat.
  • Add the cornstarch or tapioca to the remaining marinade and whisk it in. Microwave for about 1 minute, stirring halfway through. The marinade should now be a nice thick glaze that coats a spoon.
  • Grill the chicken for about 5 minutes on one side, or until you get nice grill marks. Flip the chicken and then brush the reserved glaze generously on top. Cover the grill and grill for 2-3 more minutes, or until nice and charred/browned on the bottom (do not flip again!).
  • Serve the chicken with any extra glaze on the side.

Items you can prep ahead (optional)

  • Whisk together the marinade.

Substitutions:

  • To make vegetarian, use portobello mushrooms on the grill or bake slabs of tofu. Use the glaze just as you would on the chicken, brush it on towards the end of cooking.
  • To make vegan, see above + sub maple syrup for honey

Storage:

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Leftovers + Repurposing:

  • Warm up leftover chicken in the microwave until warmed through.
  • Add to salads or bowls all week! 
  • Cook some jasmine rice and top with pickled cucumbers (toss cucumbers with vinegar and salt) and sliced up chicken. Drizzle soy sauce or tamari over top along with sesame seeds or peanuts and sriracha for a yummy bowl!

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