Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Greens
Tender chicken thighs basted in a sweet-savory glaze, served over vibrant sesame-kissed greens. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free, high-protein) ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 oz bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 8 oz, chopped bok choy
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for 3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Step 5: While chicken bakes, heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 8 oz chopped bok choy and cook for 3 minutes until vibrant green and slightly wilted. Stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
- Step 6: Plate chicken thighs over sesame greens, drizzle with pan sauce, and garnish with extra sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Greens 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-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Greens?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame Greens?
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 Greens for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Greens gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.