Asian Grilled Chicken with Snap Pea Slaw

Hi everyone, happy Monday! How was your weekend? We had a fun little Saturday attending the wedding of Lincoln’s first nanny/true love besides Mom, Miss Courtney and her new husband Logan! Fun (sad?) fact: I dress up so infrequently that Lincoln looked at me as I came down the stairs in my dress and said, “what IS that, Mommy?” Guess it’s time to step up my sweatpants and hoodie game. ?

After an incredibly windy morning and afternoon, the gusts settled down and the sun popped out just in time for a beautiful outdoor ceremony at a local park followed by a reception at the Art Center, which was open for all the wedding guests to wander through. Super cool vibe and totally fit the couple, who love art, traveling, and photography. Lincoln made sure to document the entire thing with the disposable cameras they had peppered throughout. Figured out how to wind it up, use the flash, aim it and everything (it was hysterical!)

We spent Sunday hanging out at my parent’s house before firing up the grill for steaks for dinner. I tell you what, between the Homemade Brat Burgers, Mother’s Day grill out, last night’s dinner, and the Asian Grilled Chicken with Snap Pea Slaw recipe that I’m sharing with you today – we have used our grill more in the past month than we did ALL last summer. I have found a totally new appreciation for quick cooking, smoky grilled dinners that come with big flavor and minimal clean up, including this bright and healthy chicken recipe.

First thing’s first, check out the colors in this dish! I’m so excited to start eating like it’s SUMMER, aka easily eating the rainbow.

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Chicken marinated in my favorite Asian-inspired ingredients including gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce, sesame oil, chili sauce, a little brown sugar, lime juice, garlic, and ginger is grilled then topped with an ultra-crunchy slaw made from shredded red cabbage, crispy green onions, crunchy carrots, and sweet sugar snap peas that’s dressed in the same sauce as the chicken is marinated in (I mean, not like the same sauce, but a reserved portion of the marinade!) It’s fun to eat, pretty to look at, fresh, healthy, and easy.

Honestly this chicken is one of the most delicious to come off my grill. It’s got the perfect balance of tangy, heat, and a teeny tiny bit of sweet, and oh my gosh, is so tender. I love that the slaw has the unconventional addition of sugar snap peas which I have been so obsessed with this spring. Sweet and crunchy like no other vegetable. I know you’ll love this dish!

Start by mixing up the marinade and coleslaw dressing which I mentioned are one and the same.

In a bowl whisk together 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons gluten-free low-sodium Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce,) 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1-1/2 Tablespoons sesame oil, 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, 2 teaspoons chili sauce, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 3 cloves minced garlic, the juice of 1/2 lime, salt, and pepper. It might seem strange to add salt and pepper in addition to the Tamari and chili sauce, but the chicken really needs it.

Reserve 1/3 cup of the marinade then add the rest to a big Ziplock bag with 3 roughly chopped green onions and 4 chicken breasts that have been pounded thin. Squish the bag to make sure everything’s coated then marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 or 5 hours.

When it’s time to heat, preheat the grill on high heat until it reaches at least 400 degrees then turn the heat down to medium. It’s important to keep the heat over medium as any higher will cause the sugar in the marinade to burn vs caramelize. Spray one side of the chicken breasts with nonstick spray then place sprayed side down on the grill and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, spraying the tops before flipping.

While the chicken’s grilling, toss together the crunchy Snap Pea Slaw. That’s just 3 cups thinly shredded red cabbage (about 1/2 small head,) 1 cup sugar snap peas that have been thinly sliced vertically, 2 thinly sliced or shredded carrots, and 3 green onions that have been sliced on the diagonal, tossed with the reserved marinade. You could definitely slice the vegetables up a day or two ahead to save time! Taste then add extra lime juice, salt, and pepper if needed.

Once the chicken is cooked through, plate it then top with the crunchy fresh slaw. Drizzle with extra lime juice, if you please, then dig in! I hope you love this crunchy, savory, fresh and healthy summer grilling dish!