Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze

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

Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs finished with a shiny honey-ginger glaze, served with sautéed green beans for a balanced, flavorful weeknight meal. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 Fusion cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, then season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 7-8 minutes without moving until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Cook for 2-3 minutes until glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon glaze over the thighs, and cook for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Step 6: Meanwhile, in a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 12 oz trimmed fresh green beans and sauté for 5-6 minutes until tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Step 7: Serve the glazed chicken thighs atop the green beans, spooning extra glaze from the pan over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze?

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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze?

Asian Fusion 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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