Description
Juicy Sesame Soy Chicken is a flavorful, Asian-inspired dish made with tender chicken thighs marinated in soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and spices. It’s sweet, savory, and slightly spicy, finished with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. Perfect with rice or stir-fried veggies for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, divided
- 1/2 tsp five spice powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, five spice powder, and red pepper flakes until sugar dissolves.
- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, coating well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tsp sesame oil.
- Remove chicken from the marinade (reserve a few tablespoons of marinade if desired for glazing) and cook for 5–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- If using reserved marinade, pour it into the skillet during the last 2 minutes of cooking to create a sticky glaze.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy hot with rice or vegetables.
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juicy, but you can substitute chicken breasts—just adjust cooking time.
- Marinate longer for deeper flavor, but don’t exceed 24 hours as the vinegar can break down the meat.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, or noodles for a full meal.
- For extra sesame flavor, top with sliced green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: sesame soy chicken, juicy chicken thighs, Asian chicken recipe, easy soy sauce chicken, sesame chicken skillet