Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame
Juicy chicken thighs with a sticky-sweet glaze that caramelizes to a golden crust, served with sesame-seared vegetables for balanced flavor. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs skin-on chicken thighs, soy sauce, 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
- 1.5 lbs, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
- Step 4: Flip chicken and pour the honey-soy glaze over the chicken. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, basting occasionally, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 5: Sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds and serve with steamed broccoli.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame?
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 skin-on chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame?
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 Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame 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 Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame?
Asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Easy weeknight dinner that impressed my husband. The honey-soy balance was spot-on and the thighs stayed juicy. Will make again this weekend!
- ★★★★★
My family devoured these! The glaze caramelized perfectly and the sesame gave such a nice crunch. Served with steamed broccoli and rice for a complete meal.
- ★★★★★
Loved how crispy the skin got! The sesame seeds made it feel special. Pairs perfectly with noodles for a restaurant-style dish.
