Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Sauce
Tender grilled chicken thighs marinated in soy and ginger, served with a fresh scallion and ginger dipping sauce for a savory Japanese-inspired meal. This Japanese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 stalks, thinly sliced scallions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 tsp minced garlic to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with 1 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess, and grill for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely charred at the edges.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, combine 3 thinly sliced scallions, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds in a small bowl to make the sauce.
- Step 6: Serve grilled chicken topped with the scallion-ginger sauce alongside steamed rice or greens.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Sauce?
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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Sauce?
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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Sauce?
Japanese chicken 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.
