Grilled chicken thighs are marinated in a delicious ginger soy mixture with soy sauce, fresh garlic, and honey. The fresh ginger really amps up the flavor, and you can marinate this ahead of time!

ginger soy chicken held up by tongs on cutting board

Table of Contents

Easy Teriyaki Style Chicken Recipe

This recipe is reminiscent of Seattle style teriyaki. I grew up in Seattle, and our hallmark food is Teriyaki chicken. Throughout the Pacific Northwest region, there are these little hole in the wall teriyaki spots. Served alongside steamed rice and salad, are teriyaki marinated chicken thighs. What really gives them the best flavor, is grilling them! If you’re in a pinch, we’ll give instructions on how to bake and airfry this chicken as well.

making marinade with fresh ginger and microplane

Ginger Soy Marinade Ingredients

This recipe is pretty simple and uses mostly kitchen staples. I really recommend using fresh ingredients, but if you don’t have fresh, the next best thing is jarred (meaning, garlic and ginger). Dehydrated garlic and didn’t don’t have a high enough flavor in this marinade so fresh is best!

Soy Sauce
Sesame Oil: Sesame oil is for flavoring only, a little goes a long way.
Honey: Brown sugar will work in a pinch.
Fresh Ginger: Use a microplane, or paste.
Fresh Garlic: Use a microplane, or jarred garlic.

chicken thighs marinating in ginger soy marinade

Marinating the Chicken

Make the marinade, and then add the chicken thighs. Be sure to ‘unfold’ the chicken thighs, they’re usually rolled up a little inside packaging. The chicken can either be marinated in a bowl, or a plastic sealable bag.

Combine the chicken, and the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. You can marinate this chicken for a minimum of 1 hour, but up to 24 hours, which is great for a make ahead meal!

Grilling Chicken

You can use any cut of chicken, but my favorite with ginger soy marinade is by far chicken thighs!

The key to perfectly grilled chicken is a hot grill!
Preheat the grill to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the chicken on the fully heated grill for about 8 minutes per side for thighs, and 12 minutes per side for breasts. Leave the lid closed throughout the cooking process to allow the grill to retain as much heat as possible.
Chicken is fully cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit at its thickest point. Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy. Chicken temperature safety is important!

cutting soy ginger grilled chicken on a cutting board

Baking & Air Frying Instructions

Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Spray basket with nonstick, and place chicken in air fryer basket. Cook for roughly 15-20 minutes, flipping at the halfway point, and cook until chicken reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit internally at its thickest point.

Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with foil, and spray with nonstick. Place chicken onto foil lined pan sprayed with nonstick, and bake for about 20 minutes. Chicken is done once it reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit at its thickest point.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, I like to let it rest for about 10 minutes. This helps keep the chicken juicy! This is best served with a starchy side like orzo salad or white rice and a salad.

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Cheers! – Kathi and Rachel

Ginger Soy Chicken

An easy recipe for the best marinated chicken with loads of ginger, garlic and soy flavor.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Marinating Time 1

Total Time 1 25

Course american, dinner

Cuisine bbq, chicken, dinner, grilling

Servings people

Calories 610 kcal

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken thighs

Ginger Soy Marinade

1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp fresh ginger (using a microplane, or paste)
2 tbsp fresh garlic (using a microplane, or jarred)

Instructions

In a large bowl (or directly in a plastic bag), combine all marinade ingredients. Mix well to ensure honey is dissolved.
Add chicken, unfolding chicken thighs. Ensure chicken is fully coated in marinade, and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
Preheat grill to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Cook chicken on each side for 8 minutes. Leave lid closed. Ensure chicken reaches 165 degrees internally using a meat thermometer.
Once chicken is fully cooked, allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Slice, and enjoy!

Notes

- Note: This recipe serves 8 people at about 2 chicken thighs per person. Adjust accordingly for smaller or larger portions.
- Nutritional info accounts for full value of marinade which is not fully consumed.
- Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Spray basket with nonstick, and place chicken in air fryer basket. Cook for roughly 15-20 minutes, flipping at the halfway point, and cook until chicken reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit internally at its thickest point.

- Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with foil, and spray with nonstick. Place chicken onto foil lined pan sprayed with nonstick, and bake for about 20 minutes. Chicken is done once it reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit at its thickest point.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 41gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 222mgSodium: 2336mgPotassium: 575mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 177IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 3mg

Keyword chicken, dinner

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