Ingredients
Chicken
- 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts or tenders)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the grill: Preheat your grill to 350°F, using pecan or hickory wood chips to add a smoky flavor to the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Brush both sides of the chicken thighs with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season generously with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup olive oil with brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, granulated garlic, ground ginger, and chili flakes if using. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook the sauce: Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Prepare sauce for glazing and serving: Remove the saucepan from heat. Pour half of the sauce into a separate bowl to use for glazing the chicken during grilling. Reserve the remaining sauce to serve alongside the finished chicken.
- Start grilling the chicken: Place the chicken over indirect heat on the grill with the lid closed. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes to start the cooking process without direct flames.
- Glaze and turn the chicken: Flip the chicken and generously brush with the reserved glazing sauce. Close the grill lid and continue cooking for 4 more minutes to allow the glaze to set.
- Final glaze and cook: Turn the chicken again, brushing with more glaze. Close the grill and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chicken with toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Serve warm with additional reserved sauce drizzled over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165°F internal temperature.
- If pecan or hickory wood chips are unavailable, other hardwood chips can be substituted for smoky flavor.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit entirely for a mild taste.
- Boneless chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, but watch for cooking times as breasts may cook faster.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after grilling helps to keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian