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A Korean-inspired dish featuring thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, then grilled or skillet-cooked for juicy, caramelized bites.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for grilling or skillet cooking)
  • Optional garnishes: sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice wine (if using), and black pepper until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Reserve a small portion of the marinade before adding raw chicken if you plan to use it as a sauce.
  3. Slice the chicken into thin strips across the grain.
  4. Toss the chicken strips with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
  5. Remove chicken from the marinade and pat dry to promote caramelization.
  6. Heat a grill to medium-high or warm a skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
  7. Place chicken in a single layer without crowding; cook in batches as needed.
  8. Cook chicken about 5 to 7 minutes per side, until caramelized and the thickest piece reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. If using reserved marinade, simmer or boil it for at least 1 minute to make it safe before drizzling.
  10. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Use boneless skinless thighs for juicier meat; breasts can be used but require careful cooking to avoid dryness., Slice chicken thinly across the grain for tenderness and faster cooking., Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve better caramelization., Do not overcrowd the pan or grill to prevent steaming; cook in batches if necessary., Marinating longer (up to 4 hours) intensifies flavor; avoid marinating longer than 24 hours to prevent texture changes., Reserved marinade must be boiled before using as sauce to ensure safety., Serve over steamed rice, wrapped in lettuce, or with noodles; garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for an authentic touch., Variations include swapping chicken with beef, tofu for vegetarian option, adding gochujang or red pepper flakes for spice, or using tamari for gluten-free diet., Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated or freeze up to 3 months; reheat gently to retain juiciness.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Korean-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: about 4 ounces (113 grams) cooked chicken per serving
  • Calories: Approximately 280 calories per serving
  • Fat: Approximately 12g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 10g per serving
  • Protein: Approximately 28g per serving