• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kathleen's Cravings
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Index
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer and Snack Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Meatless Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • How To
  • Welcome!
    • Welcome!
    • Work With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Summer Recipes
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Fave Tools
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Summer Recipes
    • About
    • Work With Me
    • Fave Tools
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Grilling Recipes

    Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs

    Published: Jun 3, 2022 · Modified: Apr 8, 2023 by Kathleen Hansen · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The soy marinade uses only 6 simple ingredients. The results are moist chicken thighs with perfect grill marks.

    grilled sesame chicken thighs on a plate

    Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs are so versatile and perfect for summer! The leftover chicken keeps well so make a double batch to have for meal prep throughout the week. If you don't want to fire up the grill, check out this recipe for Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Thighs.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Serving Ideas:
    • Step by step instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Leftovers and Storage
    • Recipe Notes and Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Ingredients

    It only takes a few simple ingredients to make the flavorful marinade for grilled sesame chicken thighs. Here's what you need:

    • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - you could also use chicken breasts but I love how moist chicken thighs are.
    • Low Sodium Soy Sauce
    • Sesame Oil
    • Brown Sugar - Light or dark
    • Spices - Ground black pepper, garlic powder, ginger powder
    • Sesame Seeds and Sliced Green Onions - For garnish

    Serving Ideas:

    The serving ideas are endless! Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Cooked White or Brown Rice
    • Steamed Veggies – Like broccoli
    • Asian-Inspired Noodles – Like these Garlic Sesame Ramen Noodles
    • Asian-Inspired Salad – Like this Thai Quinoa Salad
    • Rice Bowls - Try using the chicken thighs in this recipe for Korean Chicken Rice Bowls.
    chicken thighs in Teriyaki Marinade

    Step by step instructions

    Even if you're not a grilling expert, you can totally make grilled chicken thighs! See the instructions below:

    1. Marinate Chicken Thighs - In a medium/large bowl, mix together marinade ingredients. Add the whole chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to combine. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes (perfect amount of time to preheat the grill) or up to overnight.
    2. Preheat Grill - Preheat the grill to medium heat (450 degrees F) for direct grilling (ie. the chicken will go directly over the flame).
    3. Grill - Grease your grill grates, if desired, with vegetable oil on a paper towel using grilling tongs. Then add the marinated chicken thighs to the grill. Let the excess marinade drip off into the bowl. Close the grill and grill each side for 4-5 minutes (8-10 minutes total) until fully cooked (internal temperature reads at least 165 degrees F). Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. The excess marinade should be discarded.
    4. Serve - Removed cooked chicken from the grill and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
    sesame chicken thighs with rice

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to grill chicken thighs?

    It takes about 8-10 minutes to grill boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Or about 4-5 minutes per side.

    How do you grill chicken thighs without burning them?

    The key to grilling chicken thighs without burning them is not having your grill too hot. It's best to cook them on medium heat (or about 450F). This is hot enough to get the pretty grill marks, but not too hot that it burns the chicken before cooking it all the way through.

    How do you keep chicken from sticking to the grill?

    I like to grease my grill grates right before adding the chicken. I add some canola oil or vegetable oil to a paper towel and use the grilling tongs to carefully grease the grates. But the biggest key to not having food stick when grilling is to not flip the chicken too soon. Once the chicken is cooked on the outside with nice grill marks it will easily release from the grill.

    How do you know if grilled chicken is cooked?

    The best way to tell if grilled chicken is cooked is to check the internal temperature with a thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165 degrees F (I prefer 170 degrees F for thighs). If you don't have a thermometer, you can also cut the chicken to make sure there is no pink and the juices run clear but checking the temperature is the safest option.

    sesame chicken thighs with rice

    Leftovers and Storage

    Grilled chicken is a great option for meal prep! Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days.

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Ready to Flip - Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. If they're still really stuck on, then give them a little more time.
    • Discard Marinade - It's important to discard any excess marinade as it has been contaminated from the raw chicken.
    • Rest before Slicing - It's important to let the chicken thighs rest for about 5 minutes before slicing so the juices can redistribute.
    sesame grilled chicken thighs with green onions

    Related Recipes

    • Bowl of Blackstone fried rice with green onions.
      Blackstone Veggie Fried Rice (with Stir Fry Sauce)
    • Blackstone muffin mix pancakes with blueberries on a plate.
      Blackstone Muffin Mix Pancakes
    • Blackstone Egg Roll in a Bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
      Blackstone Egg Roll in a Bowl
    • Chicken thighs in a chili lime marinade in a glass bowl.
      Chili Lime Marinade

    Those ads on the page? A portion of all ad revenue is being donated to Warrior Dog Rescue. A MN-based dog rescue that I foster and volunteer with.

    Print

    Recipe

    Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs

    sesame chicken thighs with rice
    Print Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The soy marinade uses only 6 simple ingredients. The results are moist chicken thighs with perfect grill marks.

    • Author: Kathleen
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings
    • Category: Main, Grilling
    • Method: Grilling
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • 1.5 tablespoons sesame oil
    • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ginger powder

    Instructions

    1. Marinate Chicken Thighs - In a medium/large bowl, mix together marinade ingredients. Add the whole chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to combine. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes (perfect amount of time to preheat the grill) or up to overnight.
    2. Preheat Grill - Preheat the grill to medium heat (450 degrees F) for direct grilling (ie. the chicken will go directly over the flame).
    3. Grill - Grease your grill grates, if desired, with vegetable oil on a paper towel using grilling tongs. Then add the marinated chicken thighs to the grill (let the excess marinade drip off into the bowl).Close the grill and grill each side for 4-5 minutes (8-10 minutes total) until fully cooked (internal temperature reads at least 165 degrees F). Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. The excess marinade should be discarded.
    4. Serve - Removed cooked chicken from the grill and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

    Notes

    Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
    • Calories: 283
    • Sugar: 5.2 g
    • Sodium: 582.1 mg
    • Fat: 12.2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 7.1 g
    • Fiber: 0.2 g
    • Protein: 34.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 159.8 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @KathleensCravings on Instagram

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X

    More Easy Grilling Recipes

    • Cilantro lime marinade with chicken in a bowl.
      Cilantro Lime Marinade
    • close up of ground chicken kofta with grill marks
      Best Chicken Kofta
    • grilled buffalo chicken sandwich with fries
      Buffalo Grilled Chicken Sandwich
    • grilled peach crisp with ice cream on a plate
      Grilled Peach Crisp

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Angela Slatzer says

      January 30, 2023 at 2:28 pm

      I made these a few weeks ago but when I went to start the gas grill it wouldn’t start, ack!! They were still amazing cooked on the stove top. I have another batch marinating now for dinner. Tonight we will grill them on my new Kamado style BBQ. My kids (ages 7 and 14) love this chicken served over rice, yumm!

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        January 30, 2023 at 7:39 pm

        Never a fun surprise when the grill doesn't start, but so glad that it worked well on the stove top for you! Thank you so much for your comment 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Kathleen and welcome! My favorite place to be has always been in the kitchen and I love creating recipes that are easy and approachable. Simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions!

    More about me →

    Single Serve Recipes

    • Single serve banana bread in a ramekin.
      Single Serve Banana Bread (1 Banana)
    • Single serve chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.
      Single Serve Chocolate Cupcake (Makes Two)
    • Single serve oatmeal chocolate chip cookie split in half.
      Single Serve Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie (Small Batch)
    • Single serve sugar cookie on a plate with sprinkles.
      Single Serve Sugar Cookie (Small Batch)

    Summer Recipes

    • Single serve blueberry crisp in a ramekin with an oat topping.
      Single Serve Blueberry Crisp (Air Fryer or Oven)
    • Scoops of mixed berry sorbet in a bowl with fresh berries.
      Ninja Creami Mixed Berry Sorbet
    • Blackstone Garlic Butter Steak Bites on a plate with parsley.
      Blackstone Steak Bites (Garlic Butter)
    • Flatbread pizzas on the Blackstone griddle.
      Blackstone Flatbread Pizza
    • stack of s'mores bars with mini marshmallows
      S'Mores Bars
    • Single serve cornbread on a plate cut in half.
      Single Serve Cornbread (Small Batch)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About Me
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © 2025 KATHLEEN'S CRAVINGS ON THE SEASONED PRO THEME

     

    Loading Comments...