Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Toasted Sesame

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

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory honey-soy sauce, finished with toasted sesame seeds for an irresistible crunch. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 3 minced garlic cloves until fully combined.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 boneless skin-on chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs, pour the honey-soy mixture over them, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, spooning the glaze over the thighs occasionally until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions over the top before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Toasted Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Toasted Sesame?

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 Toasted Sesame?

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 Toasted Sesame 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-Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs with Toasted Sesame?

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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