Braised Honey Garlic Chicken with Aubergine and Scallions
A savory Chinese-inspired chicken dish featuring tender braised chicken thighs in a honey garlic sauce paired with tender aubergine and fresh scallions. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, large (about 1 lb) eggplant (aubergine), honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 large (about 1 lb) eggplant (aubergine)
- 3 tbsp honey
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, sliced into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 large eggplant into 1-inch cubes and sprinkle with 1 tsp salt; let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and pat dry to remove bitterness.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the eggplant cubes and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and tender; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp vegetable oil and sear 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin side down over medium heat for 6-7 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and cook 4 minutes on the other side.
- Step 4: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the chicken; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/2 cup water; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cover and braise the chicken over low heat for 20 minutes until cooked through and tender.
- Step 7: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water to form a slurry, then stir into the sauce.
- Step 8: Add the sautéed eggplant and 3 sliced scallions to the skillet; cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Step 9: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish, toss gently, and remove from heat. Serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Honey Garlic Chicken with Aubergine and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Braised Honey Garlic Chicken with Aubergine and Scallions?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Honey Garlic Chicken with Aubergine and Scallions?
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 Braised Honey Garlic Chicken with Aubergine and Scallions 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 Braised Honey Garlic Chicken with Aubergine and Scallions?
Chinese chicken 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.
