Easy Sesame Chicken

April 15, 2023

Juicy and delicious grilled Sesame Chicken Breasts with an easy and flavorful ginger marinade. Don’t know what to do with that chicken breast? Here’s your answer.

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I am ALWAYS on the lookout for ways to spruce up chicken. My family WANT me to spruce up their chicken. YOU want me to spruce up the chicken. Don’t get me wrong: chicken breast can be lovely on its own but only the most hardcore chicken enthusiasts can devour it day after day without some sort of variation.

That’s where sesame seeds come into play. When I used to look at them, all I saw were bagel toppings. Not anymore. I mean, I STILL see bagel toppings but it’s not ALL I see. Now I see a delicious take on chicken. I see them residing in a marinade that is both sweet (cos of the honey) and savory (cos of the soy sauce).

Know what else I see? You and yours LOVING this recipe. I’ll explain why here…

Why You Will LOVE This Recipe

You can serve these marinated chicken breasts with any kind of side dish, on a crispy salad, rice bowl, pasta, or just grilled vegetables.

It’s a delightful spin on the tried-and-true chicken recipe. This sesame chicken is a must-try recipe for your dinner plans!

The mix of flavor: The slight nuttiness of the sesame seeds melds well with the saltiness of the soy sauce and the sweetness of the honey. There’s something in this range of flavor for everyone.

If you’ve already scanned the recipe, you’ll notice there are only a few steps you have to do to get these ingredients from your fridge and pantry to your plate.

Is Sesame Chicken Healthy?

The marinade for this sesame chicken includes a lot of healthy ingredients. Ginger improves immunity and helps to speed up the digestion process. Garlic reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Sesame is an excellent source of calcium, which helps to grow your bones healthy and strong.

Lean chicken is a great source of complete protein (i.e., it has all nine essential amino acids the body can’t produce on its own), a macronutrient responsible for muscle development and immune function.

Sesame seeds are small but packed with nutrients. They’re high in fiber, moderately high in protein, and contain a significant amount of healthy fats, predominantly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Not bad for an ingredient that takes little to no effort to prep!

INGREDIENTS

A majority of these ingredients will go towards making the marinade. Once you’ve got that done, the rest is a cinch!

2 chicken breasts, skin on

2 tbsp soy sauce

½ tbsp white & black sesame seeds

1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tsp honey

1 tbsp lime juice

handful fresh coriander

1 tbsp ginger, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat a grill to 400°F. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and half of the sesame seeds until well combined. Add the chicken breast to the marinade and store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Grill

Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook the chicken breasts for 6 minutes on each side.

Serve

Transfer the chicken breast to plates and garnish with fresh coriander. Serve with your preferred side (see below for suggestions).

DEVOUR!

Variations

You can add more spices to the marinade like chili powder or chinese five spices.

Substitute sesame oil with regular oil if you don’t have it on hand.

Substitute coriander with other herbs like chives, spring onions or asian basil.

What To Serve With Sesame Chicken

Cilantro Lime Instant-Pot Rice – This rice dish tastes just like the one you get at Chipotle and is only 3 ingredients! Ready in 12 minutes; this is a perfect, easy to make, and goes well with chicken.

Crispy, Baked Sweet Potato Fries – These potato fries are SO crispy and healthy! Learn the secret ingredient that will have you never missing the deep-fried version again.

Paleo Baked Zucchini Fritters – You’ll never believe these crispy fritters are baked not fried! Gluten-free, low-carb, whole30 and insanely tasty!

Oven Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Goat Cheese – These brussels sprouts are tossed with balsamic reduction for a quick, easy and healthy side dish!

FAQs

How long should i leave the chicken in the marinade?

For the best result and best taste, leave the chicken in the marinade overnight in the fridge. If you don’t have the time, marinate for at least 30 minutes. The flavor will develop the best if you leave the meat marinated in the fridge. Take them out from the marinade at least 30 minutes before cooking.

When is the chicken done?

You know your chicken breasts are cooked when the thermometer shows a temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer on hand, slice the chicken breast in half and check from the inside. The meat should be completely white.

Can I use other parts of the Chicken?

Yes, you can use other parts like chicken thighs, chicken legs, or even chicken wings. Note that the part you use and the thickness of the meat will affect the cooking time.

do i need to leave the skin on?

Do you HAVE to? No. It’s your call. The skin contains fat, which brings flavor… and calories. So it depends on what you hold more dear: the taste or the nutrition.

how To Store Sesame Chicken

Let the chicken cool for no more than two hours. Any longer and you run the risk of bacteria growth. Place the chicken in resealable bags or in an airtight container. The sauce can be stored separately in another container. The chicken should last for up to 4 days in the fridge. It will also last for up to 3 months in the freezer. When it comes time to reheat, you can do so in the microwave or on the stove until it achieves an internal temperature of 165°F. Add the sauce during the reheating process if you stored it separately.