Honey-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Sesame
Tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet-savory honey-ginger sauce, with a nutty sesame finish and crisp edges. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in 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 350 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 lb, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown, flip, and cook 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: Remove chicken, leaving 1 tbsp fat in skillet; add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, sautéing 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water; pour into skillet and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats spoon.
- Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, coating in sauce, and cook 2 more minutes; stir in 1 tbsp sesame oil.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 tsp sesame seeds and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Honey-Ginger 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Ginger 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 Honey-Ginger 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.
Is Honey-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Sesame 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
