Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus
Tender chicken thighs coated in a sticky-sweet honey-ginger glaze, served with perfectly roasted asparagus for a balanced weeknight dinner. This american-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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, skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bunch, trimmed asparagus
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for 3 minutes more.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour honey mixture over chicken in the skillet, then nestle 1 bunch trimmed asparagus around the chicken. Transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F and roast for 18-20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from oven, sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Discard excess fat from the skillet and serve chicken and asparagus together.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus 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-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus?
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-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus?
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-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus 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-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.