Description
Tender and flavorful Korean Chicken Breasts marinated in a savory and slightly sweet blend of soy sauce, apple sauce, garlic, and spices, then grilled to perfection. This recipe offers a delicious, mildly spicy dish that is quick to prepare and ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise, from 2 breasts)
Marinade
- 1/4 cup low sodium or gluten-free soy sauce
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (plus more for topping)
- 2 thinly sliced scallions (white and green parts)
Instructions
- Pound the chicken: Place the chicken breasts one at a time in a Ziploc bag and gently pound them to an even thickness of about ½ inch without puncturing the bag. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, unsweetened apple sauce, finely chopped yellow onion, sesame oil, grated ginger, light brown sugar, crushed garlic cloves, red pepper flakes if using, and sesame seeds. Mix well.
- Marinate the chicken: Reserve ¼ cup of the marinade, then pour the remaining marinade into the Ziploc bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, allowing it to reach the right temperature for cooking chicken evenly without sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they release easily from the grates. Flip the chicken, spoon the reserved ¼ cup marinade over each piece for extra flavor, and grill for another 2 to 3 minutes or until cooked through.
Notes
- Do not puncture the Ziploc bag when pounding the chicken to avoid leaks.
- Marinating for longer than 1 hour can enhance the flavor further, up to 4 hours while refrigerated.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce if you require a gluten-free dish.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference or omit them for a milder version.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after grilling before slicing to retain juices.
- Serve garnished with additional sesame seeds and scallions for presentation and extra flavor.