This Soy Garlic Chicken BBQ is an easy chicken recipe for quick dinners, diet meal prep, or BBQ gatherings! It’s savory, sweet, and filled with freshness from all the elements in the marinade.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This is a quick and easy recipe. When I say easy, I mean it. All you have to do is assemble the marinade, marinate the chicken for 12 hours, and pan-fry or grill anytime!
- This recipe is perfect for any kind of meal. Need a quick lunch or dinner that both adults and kids will love? Need a recipe to switch up your meal prep for chicken? Need something to bring to a BBQ with family or friends this summer? When you cook this up, you and everyone else will love it!
- If you love Beef Bulgogi, this is the Chicken variant that is equally delicious! If you wanna take a break from red meat, this is the way to go!
For the spicy version, check out Spicy Chicken BBQ! For the chicken wing version, check out Korean Soy Garlic Chicken Wings!
Ingredients for Korean Soy Garlic Chicken BBQ
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Boneless Chicken
For any chicken recipe, I like using boneless chicken thighs. Remove the fat before marinating it. Personally, I don’t prefer the breast part, but you can definitely use that too!
Soy Garlic Chicken Marinade
The main ingredients for the marinade are soy sauce and garlic, the rest are just a plus. The only tool that you will need is a tablespoon which makes this so much easier to make!
- Soy Sauce. The base of the marinade. Use the regular soy sauce which will give the chicken its beautiful amber color and savory taste.
- Sugar. The sweet component will balance the salt from the soy sauce. This can be replaced with honey or sugar substitutes if preferred.
- Garlic and Ginger. The fresh component of the marinade. These will cut through all the savor and sweetness coming from the other ingredients. I like to use blended garlic and ginger for a stronger flavor but feel free to mince it super small or grate it.
- Mirin. This is sweet cooking wine, a great complement and additional flavor to any soy-based dish. This can be substituted with Chinese Shaoxing Wine or dry sherry.
- Sesame Oil. For a nutty, earthy finish and also a great complement to the umami-filled marinade.
- Oyster Sauce. We will only be adding a very small amount for a boost in the umami flavor.
- Water.
- Black Pepper.
- Liquid Smoke. We’ll only be using a small amount. This is highly recommended when pan-frying the chicken for an additional smoky flavor. You can skip if using the grill to cook.
Combine these ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add the chicken to the marinade and make sure it is submerged. Cover and keep in the fridge for 12 hours so the flavor penetrates the meat.
You can also prepare this in advance and freeze it in batches so you can have soy garlic chicken or chicken bulgogi anytime!
How to Cook Korean Soy Garlic Chicken?
Pan Fry Method: In high heat, cook for 4 minutes on both sides. In the last couple of minutes, add some marinade to the pan and let it reduce so it glazes the chicken beautifully.
Grill Method: In high heat, let it cook for about 5-7 minutes per side and cover mid-way so it cooks thoroughly. Flip only when the chicken is not sticking to the grill anymore and consistently baste it with the leftover marinade.
Note: Keep an eye on the chicken because the sauce can easily burn so just flip as needed. To know if the BBQ chicken is done, you should see its juices run clear.
This can also be cooked in an air fryer or in the oven, but I have yet to try it.
What to Serve with Soy Garlic Chicken?
Serve this with rice, or if you want to keep it healthy, then try Multigrain Rice. This is also perfect to be served with some Napa Cabbage Kimchi, Radish Kimchi, Spicy Cucumber Salad, Spicy Radish Salad, or Water Kimchi.
Other easy Korean dishes you might like:
Make sure to leave a rating, a comment, or tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok when you chop them up! Yeobosayo!
Korean-style Soy Garlic Chicken BBQ
Ingredients
- 1 lb Boneless Chicken Thigh Fat removed
- 6 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 4 tbsp Sugar
- 3 tbsp Garlic
- 3 tbsp Mirin
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Ginger
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1/2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- Black Pepper To taste
- Few drops Liquid Smoke
- Vegetable or Canola Oil For pan frying
Instructions
- Clean the chicken by removing all fat.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, garlic, mirin, water, ginger, sesame oil, oyster sauce, black pepper, and liquid smoke. Mix thoroughly.
- Add the chicken to the marinade and make sure it is submerged. Let it marinate for 12 hours minimum.
- Pan Fry: In high heat with a splash of oil, cook the chicken for 4 minutes on both sides. In the last couple of minutes, add a little bit of marinade and let it reduce to make a glaze.
- Grill: In high heat, grill for 5-7 minutes, basting consistently and covering halfway to make sure it is cooked thoroughly.
- Serve with rice and side dishes. Enjoy!
What oil do you fry the chicken in?
Any neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed~
That liquid smoke makes a difference between the!
Yep!! My secret ingredient kakaka~
Just made this and the cucumber banchan!! Dinner tonight was slammin thank you!!
YEOBOSAYO!!!!!!
If I make chicken skewers how long should I marinate the cubes of chicken? Thank you, Chef
Generally, you can already taste the marinade after an hour. But the longer it sits, the better. If you plan to do skewers, 8 hours would be great!
Could this work in an oven on my lazy days?
Definitely!
Seen on tiktok!
If anyone wants to make in the oven. Line baking dish with foil. Dump everything in the baking dish.
Set oven to broil 8 minutes on each side. (I did ten on each). This is my favorite recipe. Thanks!
Great tip, thanks for sharing it here so everyone can try too! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Chef, how long and hot should I cook this in the airfryer?
12-15 minutes at 380F~
No oyster sauce!! Fish sauce ok?
Just add more soy sauce~