Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame-Crusted Carrots
Juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet-savory glaze, served with caramelized sesame carrots for a balanced, crowd-pleasing meal. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 32 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 325 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 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups, julienned carrots
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves; set aside.
- Step 2: Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry, then season with 1/4 tsp salt. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Step 3: Remove chicken and pour sauce mixture into skillet; simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Whisk together 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp water, then stir into sauce until glossy and thickened (about 1 minute).
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, coating evenly, and cook for 2 more minutes. Meanwhile, toss 2 cups julienned carrots with 1 tsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp sesame seeds in a separate pan; cook over medium heat for 8 minutes until caramelized and tender.
- Step 5: Serve chicken with sesame carrots, drizzling with extra sauce from the skillet.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame-Crusted Carrots take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (10 min prep + 22 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-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame-Crusted Carrots?
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-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame-Crusted Carrots?
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-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame-Crusted Carrots 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-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame-Crusted Carrots 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 22-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
