Honjozo Sake-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger
A Japanese-inspired dish where chicken is tenderized in honjozo sake, then grilled to caramelized perfection with a hint of fresh ginger and soy. This japanese-inspired grilling ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, honjozo sake, low-sodium soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp honjozo sake
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together honjozo sake, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they're fully submerged, and marinate in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (375°F). Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess, and place on the grill. Grill for 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are slightly charred.
- Step 3: Transfer chicken to a cutting board, tent with foil, and rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
- Step 4: Drizzle remaining marinade (reheated in a small saucepan for 2 minutes) over the sliced chicken. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honjozo Sake-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honjozo Sake-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honjozo Sake-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honjozo Sake-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honjozo Sake-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger?
Japanese grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order japanese delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
