Crispy Sesame-Glazed Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs with a caramelized sesame-ginger glaze, served over fluffy rice for a restaurant-quality weeknight meal. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, soy sauce, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken skin-side down in skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until skin is deeply golden and crispy. Flip and cook 5 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over top. Transfer skillet to a 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
  5. Step 5: Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Brush with reserved sauce and sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds. Serve over 2 cups cooked rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Sesame-Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Sesame-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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Sesame-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 Crispy Sesame-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.

Is Crispy Sesame-Glazed Chicken Thighs gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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