Honey-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and spicy honey-ginger sauce paired with fluffy sesame-infused rice. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs honey, finely grated fresh ginger, soy sauce 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice with 2 1/4 cups water and 1 tsp sesame oil in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the glaze.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 6 boneless skin-on chicken thighs and place skin side down in the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crispy, then flip and cook 4 minutes on the other side.
  4. Step 4: Pour the honey-ginger glaze over the chicken thighs in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for another 5-7 minutes, spooning glaze over chicken frequently until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1 tsp sesame oil. Garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions.
  6. Step 6: Serve the glazed chicken thighs over the sesame rice, spooning extra glaze from the pan over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Rice take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Rice?

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 honey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Rice?

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 Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Rice 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 Honey-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Rice?

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.

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