Honey-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Spinach
Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and spicy honey-ginger sauce paired with lightly sautéed sesame spinach. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, honey, finely grated fresh ginger root 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 (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger root
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger root, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 4 minced garlic cloves until combined.
- Step 2: Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and place in a baking dish. Brush each thigh generously with half of the honey-ginger glaze. Roast uncovered for 25 minutes.
- Step 3: Halfway through roasting, baste chicken thighs with remaining glaze, then continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is caramelized.
- Step 4: While the chicken roasts, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 cups baby spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just wilted and glossy.
- Step 5: Season spinach with 1/2 tsp black pepper and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving alongside the glazed chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Spinach?
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 Spinach?
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 Spinach 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 Spinach?
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.
