Honey-Soy Glazed Lemon Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-tangy honey-soy sauce and bright lemon zest, perfect with steamed rice. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 3.9 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken and cook for 6 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, the juice of 1 lemon, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Stir in 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water and simmer for 2 minutes until glossy and thickened.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over top. Cook for 3 minutes more until sauce bubbles and coats the chicken evenly.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1 tbsp sesame seeds and extra lemon zest before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Soy Glazed Lemon Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Lemon Chicken?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Soy Glazed Lemon Chicken?

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 Lemon Chicken 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 Lemon Chicken 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.

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