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When my kids were younger, and living at home, this recipe was on our regular rotation of simple weeknight chicken dinners. We love to grill and I especially love the easy clean-up. This recipe comes together in minutes and cooks on the grill in no time. Some people dislike boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they can dry out when overcooked. I baby them a little, cooking slow to ensure they’re not lost in the flames becoming another rubbery piece of shoe leather. I don’t know how I forgot about this recipe for so long, but we love it. Sesame-Ginger Grilled Chicken is great in a salad, rice bowl, or added to stir fried vegetables.
Place the breasts in a heavy duty ziplock bag and flatten each piece using a meat mallet until the chicken is a uniform thickness. Cooking similar sized pieces will insure you won’t have a burnt end and a raw middle.
I like to cook boneless breasts on the top rack as far from the flame as possible. It still has the charred edges but stays moist and tender. Baste the chicken frequently with a simple mixture made of soy sauce, ginger, honey and sesame seeds.
Fork tender with a light Asian flavor, it is sure to please even your pickiest guests.
Pin it for later!
Sesame-Ginger Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted
- 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 3-4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- Vegetable cooking spray for the grill or vegetable oil
- Thin sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Toast the sesame seeds, stirring frequently, in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat until lightly browned,
- Combine the sesame seeds, ginger, honey and soy sauce in a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Place the chicken in a heavy-duty zip lock bag and flatten the breasts using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Pound each to an even thickness starting at the biggest end.
- Lightly spray or oil the grill to prevent sticking.
- Preheat grill on medium-high. Cook the breasts about 8 minutes on each side or until clear juices are visible. Baste the chicken frequently with the soy mixture, using it all or discarding any remaining sauce.
- Allow the chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish this thin sliced green onions if desired.
Recipe Notes
- This sauce is also perfect for chicken skewers or on grilled salmon.
- Feel free to use chicken thighs but adjust grilling time accordingly.
Nutrition
Sorry to be so absent lately, we had the excitement of a new grand baby and then I got sick. I really hate to be sick. It’s not fun for anybody, especially those that have to live with me – haha. I missed Easter dinner with my family 🙁 and wish I could enjoy this lovely spring weather. Anyway – enough complaining. I went to the doctor and got some medicine so I’m hoping for a quick recovery! Hope you are having a wonderful week! Thanks so much for stopping by. And once I’m fully recovered, I’m sure baby pictures will be forthcoming!
Tricia
Cindy says
Just what I was looking for to make chicken better! Easy and yummy.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Cindy! We’ve loved this recipe for years. Thanks for trying it and for commenting.
Rach's Recipes says
This was fantastic. I served it with Japanese curly noodles. Loved all the Asian flavors! Thank you!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you so much for the feedback! We do love a simple, and tasty recipe. The curly noodles sound great too 🙂 Hope you will come back again!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
Love grilled chicken, whether boneless or bone-in. But skinless, boneless are easier, and are often a good value at the store. Love the Asian flavor in yours! Such good stuff — thanks.
Tricia Buice says
This is an old recipe – so glad we found it again. Quick and easy with great flavor – can’t beat it!
Susan says
My husband is really good at not overcooking chicken breast on the grill. Going to try this recipe very soon, Tricia! Hope you’re already feeling better! Yes, it’s the pits being sick – especially over a holiday. Bummer!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Susan – hope you enjoy the recipe! I love the ease of a boneless skinless chicken breast. Have a great week!
Gerlinde says
Your chicken dish looks delicious I hope you are feeling better. I have a horrible cold traveling in Germany, no fun.
Tricia Buice says
I am so sorry Gerlinde. Traveling while sick must be awful. Hope you are feeling better.
cheri says
Hi Tricia, what a wonderful recipe, I started buying whole organic chickens and cutting them up because many times the skinless pieces came out so dry. Wonderful tip, will try yours, it will be much healthier for us. Love all the seasonings, a keeper for sure. Hope you are having a wonderful week-end.
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Cheri. I love your idea of cutting up chicken – seems like a good way to save money!
handmade by amalia says
Feel better, Tricia! Sending you a virtual cup of lemon-ginger tea and a congratulations hug.
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Amalia! Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Karen Harris says
I am always looking for a new way to grill chicken and this looks like a great one. Congratulations on the new grand baby and I hope you get well soon.
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Karen – great to hear from you! Hope your snow has melted and the warm breezes are coming your way 🙂
Monica says
You sure make chicken look good, Tricia! BBQ season is coming and I love when my husband cooks chicken (and other things) on the grill; he also slow cooks it on low to keep it moist and I make sure we have leftovers for salads and such for a few days. The sesame ginger combo sounds and looks incredible.
But so sorry you were sick and missed Easter dinner! : ( Feel better; get some rest! And hope the baby is doing great!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Monica! I let my husband grill sometimes too – haha – he really does a great job. I haven’t seen my new granddaughter in a week – having baby withdrawal! Happy weekend to you and your lovely family.
Mandy says
Taste explosion meal. Delicious.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Mandy – hope you’re doing great! Have a lovely weekend!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
They look really tender and juicy! Don’t own a grill…but I can always do this on a grill pan or in the oven, right?
Tricia Buice says
The grill pan will work great Angie. Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Foodiewife says
We fired up the gas grill (we also have a Weber) for the first time, this year. I don’t mind boneless, skinless chicken breast, and keep them in my freezer all the time. We love Asian flair recipes. Lucky me. I have all the ingredients on hand. I guess we’ll be firing up the grill sooner than later!
Tricia Buice says
I love a quick and easy recipe like this and hope you do too! Enjoy and hope you have a great, warm, lovely weekend!
Sara says
Feel better soon! I love grilled chicken, when the weather’s nice we grill at least once a week and chicken is almost always on the menu. Can’t wait to try this!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Sara – we grill a lot in the summer, mostly garden vegetables. Can’t wait for warmer weather and for the medicine to kick into high gear. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Love dishes like this and will definitely be making once my BBQ comes out of hibernation 🙂 Hope you are feeling better soon!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Jennifer! Feeling better already. On those days when you don’t feel good and don’t want anything extravagant for dinner, this recipe works! Have a lovely weekend!~
Becky Green says
I HOPE you are SOON WELL, Tricia!!! Being sick is NO FUN AT ALL!!! 🙁
This chicken recipe looks WONDERFUL! We too enjoy grilled chicken & this recipe sounds HEAVENLY!!!!! THANK YOU TRICIA!!!! Just think of all the hugs & kisses that new grand baby will get when you are well!!!!! 😉
Tricia Buice says
Hi Becky – I’m getting grumpier and grumpier the longer this drags on – haha. You are so right … no fun at all!
Chris Scheuer says
This look wonderful Tricia, so perfect for spring salads and light dinners. Thanks for all the great tips too, I think everyone struggles keeping chicken breasts tender and moist.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Chris! Let the grilling begin 🙂 I bet you are having some beautiful weather down your way. Are the dogwoods in bloom?
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
I like your hint too, Tricia, because it definitely can be a problem. In fact, I went back to buying chicken with skin on it because I couldn’t seem to get a moist breast. Will definitely try that.
Come Spring time, I always have a craving for foods with ginger in it and this little beauty will definitely go on the menu. I’m so looking forward to grilling!!
Tricia Buice says
I just love how easy boneless, skinless breasts are to cook and eat. Love ginger too! And grilling season is almost here 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
You have impeccable timing, Tricia – I just came back from the grocery store with boneless skinless breasts! I love your hint about the low and slow cooking, I am anxious to try that because I love white meat but hate when it gets tough. Sharing and pinning!
Tricia Buice says
Rubber chicken breasts are the pits! I just love it juicy and tender and since we don’t eat a whole lot of meat these day – it was a treat!