Honey-Soy Glazed Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated and grilled with a sweet and savory honey-soy glaze, capturing classic Korean BBQ flavors. This korean-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, honey, sesame oil 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.
Ingredients
- 8 (about 2 lbs) boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tbsp gochujang, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar until smooth.
- Step 2: Add 8 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade.
- Step 4: Grill chicken thighs skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes, basting occasionally with reserved marinade, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 3 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Soy Glazed Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs?
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 Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs?
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 Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs 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 Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs?
Korean 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.
