Easy Sesame Chicken Skewers with Coconut Rice

Summer is here and it’s hot! That means I’m keeping things simple in the kitchen no big ovens, no long hours. Just quick, tasty meals that don’t take much effort. That’s why I love this Sesame Chicken recipe! It’s juicy, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with Tilda’s Ready to Eat Coconut Basmati Rice. It’s one of those meals that feels fancy but is actually super easy to make. Let’s get cooking!

Method

Make the Marinade

To kick things off, you’ll want to build a flavor-packed marinade that brings the whole dish together. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, ¼ cup of hoisin sauce, ¼ cup of sugar, 3 crushed garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds. Stir everything together until it’s well blended. You’ll notice the mixture has a sweet and savory aroma that’s how you know it’s going to be good! Set the bowl aside while you prep the chicken.

Marinate the Chicken

Next, slice your chicken breasts into thin strips. Try to keep the size of each strip consistent so they cook evenly later on. Place the strips into a large bowl, then pour your marinade right over the top. Use tongs or clean hands to mix everything well, making sure each piece of chicken is coated with the sauce. Once mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour, but if you have the time, 2 hours will give you even more flavor. This step is key it helps the chicken stay juicy and soak up all that delicious sesame-soy goodness.

Get Your Skewers Ready

While the chicken is marinating, this is a great time to get your wooden skewers ready. If you haven’t done it yet, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. This step prevents them from burning on the grill. Once the chicken is done marinating, take each strip and thread it onto a skewer, kind of like a ribbon. You can fit a few pieces per stick, but don’t crowd them too much space helps them cook better and more evenly.

Fire Up the Grill

Now it’s time to get that grill going! Preheat your grill (or grill pan if you’re indoors) to medium heat. Once hot, place your skewers directly onto the grill grates. Let them cook for about 4 minutes on one side, then flip them using tongs and grill the other side for another 4 minutes. Keep a close eye because of the sugar in the marinade, the chicken can caramelize and get those beautiful grill marks quickly. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; the internal temperature should reach 165°F to be safely cooked through.

Warm Up the Rice

While your chicken is sizzling away on the grill, go ahead and heat up the Tilda Ready to Eat Coconut Basmati Rice. This step is super easy just follow the microwave instructions on the package. It only takes a couple of minutes, and the coconut aroma makes your kitchen smell amazing! Once it’s warmed, fluff it a little with a fork to loosen it up.

Time to Plate

Now for the fun part putting it all together! Divide the warm coconut rice between serving bowls. Place one or two chicken skewers on top of each bowl, depending on how hungry you are. To finish, sprinkle sliced green onions and a few extra sesame seeds over everything for a pop of color and crunch. And there you have it a beautiful, tasty summer meal that’s as easy as it is satisfying.

Necessary Tools

• Mixing bowls
• Cutting board & knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Grill or grill pan
• Wooden skewers (soak them in water first!)
• Tongs
• Meat thermometer
• Microwave (to heat the rice)

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side of cucumber salad or steamed broccoli.
• Make it a wrap! Slide the chicken off the skewers and wrap with rice in a tortilla.
• Add a drizzle of sriracha for a spicy kick!

Fun Fact

Did you know sesame seeds are one of the oldest condiments in the world? People have been cooking with them for over 4,000 years! They not only add crunch but are packed with healthy fats too.

Conclusion

This Sesame Chicken with Coconut Rice is a summertime win! It’s full of flavor, quick to make, and just feels special. Whether you’re grilling for friends or keeping it easy on a busy night, this recipe is a must try. Let me know if you give it a go and tag me if you post it!