Authentic Honjozo Sake-Glazed Chicken Thighs
A Japanese-inspired dish featuring chicken thighs marinated in premium honjozo sake, mirin, and soy, then glazed to caramelized perfection with a hint of smokiness. This japanese-inspired grilling ready in about 50 minutes pairs skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, honjozo sake, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 800 g, skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 150 ml honjozo sake
- 50 ml mirin
- 30 ml soy sauce
- 15 g sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 15 g, grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow dish, whisk together 150 ml honjozo sake, 50 ml mirin, 30 ml soy sauce, 15 g sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 15 g grated ginger until sugar dissolves; add chicken thighs, turning to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess, and place skin-side down in the skillet. Sear for 5 minutes without moving to develop a golden crust, then flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Step 3: Pour remaining marinade into the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning chicken occasionally, until sauce reduces to a glossy glaze that coats the back of a spoon and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Step 4: Transfer chicken to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Simmer the sauce for 2 more minutes to thicken, then drizzle over chicken. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Honjozo Sake-Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (35 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Honjozo Sake-Glazed Chicken Thighs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep honjozo sake from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Honjozo Sake-Glazed Chicken Thighs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Honjozo Sake-Glazed Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Honjozo Sake-Glazed Chicken Thighs?
Japanese grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect grilling recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
