Juicy and full of flavor, Baked Soy Sauce Chicken Marinade is your next favorite week night meal. Flavors of savory soy, toasted sesame oils and garlic makes for an easy and healthy dinner!
This Japanese style marinated baked chicken is made with boneless and skinless chicken thighs that are marinated in a slightly sweet and savory soy and garlic marinade making it the most juiciest and moist baked chicken. Topped with toasted sesame seeds, green onions, and optional lemon juice and Japanese style pepper (togarashi), this soy sauce chicken goes great with salad, stir fry vegetables, miso soup and rice or rice alternative.
What is Baked Soy Sauce Chicken Marinade?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are marinated in a sweet and savory, garlicky marinade. Because the marinade acts as a brine, you can ensure a juicy and moist baked chicken every time. This recipe does not use honey especially for those of you that are carb conscious.
What does soy sauce chicken marinade taste like?
Soy sauce chicken marinade is made with traditional Japanese marinade flavors that have a perfect balance of sweet and bold, savory soy and garlic flavor full of umami.
How long should I marinate chicken in the soy sauce marinade?
Marinate chicken for a minimum of 3 hours but it is best after 8-10 hours of soaking.
Pro Tip – you can easily meal prep these Japanese style marinated chicken thighs! Just marinade for the optimal time of 8 -10 hours and then store in the freezer in a ziplock bag. When ready to cook, defrost the chicken in warm water and bake or grill!
What ingredients do I need to make soy sauce chicken?
- Chicken Thigh – can also sub with chicken breasts if preferred, but you may lose out on some of the juiciness.
- Salt – use sea salt or table salt.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener. Other options also include, sugar, or honey.
- Garlic – grated fresh garlic.
- Soy Sauce – low sodium is preferred. For gluten free you can use tamari or coconut aminos.
- Japanese Sake – use Japanese cooking sake which is fairly inexpensive and can be found in most Asian supermarkets.
- Toasted Sesame Oil – use toasted sesame oil (dark and rich in color). Check to make sure it is not a sesame oil blend.
- Green Onion – fresh chopped.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – you can find toasted sesame seeds in most Asian supermarkets or grocery stores.
What type of soy sauce should I use?
Use any type of Japanese soy sauce brand. We prefer the taste of less sodium soy sauce but can use regular, bold or tamari based on your dietary needs.
How do you make a soy sauce marinade for chicken?
Prepare marinade ingredients by adding salt, sweetener, garlic, soy sauce, Japanese sake, toasted sesame oil in a bowl. Marinate boneless skinless thigh in a glass baking dish or bowl for 3.5 hours up to 10 hours. For best results, 8-10 hours is recommended. Discard marinade.
Bake in the oven at 350F for 20-25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165F. Marinated chicken also tastes great on a hot grill so you get that extra charred flavor.
Pro Tip – when marinading, it’s best to use a glass bowl to avoid any unwanted metal reactions with acidic marinades.
What is the nutrition information for this soy sauce chicken recipe?
- 536 Calories
- 3g Carbohydrates
- 0g Fiber
- 37g Protein
- 40g Fat
- 222mg Cholesterol
- 176mg Sodium
- 486mg Potassium
- 26mg Calcium
- 2mg Iron
- 177ui Vitamin A
- 1mg Vitamin C
Looking for other chicken recipes?
- Baked Chicken Thigh with Garlic Lemon Aioli
- Spicy Baked Chicken w Sriracha Mayo Dipping Sauce
- Korean BBQ Marinated Chicken
- Lemon BBQ Chicken
- Easy Hainan Chicken
Now, let’s get making this Baked Soy Sauce Chicken Marinade recipe!
- Prepping Time 5M
- Marination Time 3.5 – 8H
- Cook Time 25M
- Total Time 4H
- Net Carb/Serv ~1g
- Servings 2
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Chicken Thigh (boneless and skinless)
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Sweetener (sugar alternative, sugar or preferred sweetener)
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Japanese Sake (can substitute with Dry Sherry)
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 Stalk Green Onion (optional)
- 1/4 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (optional)
Directions
1) Gather all the ingredients.
2) Grate garlic with a grater or garlic press.
3) Combine salt, sweetener, grated garlic, Soy Sauce, Japanese sake, Toasted Sesame Oil in a mixing bowl. Add chicken thigh into the marinade and marinate for 3.5 – 8 hours (best after 8 hours). Note – can also marinate in a ziplock bag.
4) Set oven to 350F.
5) Transfer marinated chicken onto an oven tray lined with a baking mat and bake in the center of the oven for 25 minutes flipping halfway through.
6) Top with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Hope you enjoy your Baked Soy Sauce Chicken Marinade!
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Baked Soy Sauce Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Chicken Thigh boneless and skinless
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Sweetener sugar alternative, sugar or preferred sweetener
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Japanese Sake can substitute with dry sherry
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 Stalk Green Onion optional
- 1/4 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds optional
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Grate garlic with a grater or garlic press.
- Combine salt, sweetener, grated garlic, Soy Sauce, Japanese sake, Toasted Sesame Oil in a mixing bowl. Add chicken thigh into marinade and marinate for 3.5-8 hours (best after 8 hours). Note - can also marinate in a ziplock bag.
- Set oven to 350F.
- Transfer marinated chicken onto an oven tray lined with a baking mat and bake in the center of the oven for 25 minutes flipping halfway through.
- Top with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Video
Nutrition
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