Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Sesame Glaze
Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden crispness and finished with a sticky honey-sesame glaze for a flavorful Asian-inspired dish. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs skin-on bone-in 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves, minced garlic clove
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 7-8 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: While chicken cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl.
- Step 5: Pour the honey-soy mixture over the chicken in the skillet and cook for 2 minutes more, spooning the glaze over the thighs until it thickens and coats them.
- Step 6: Remove chicken from heat, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Sesame 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-Sesame 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-Sesame 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-Sesame 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-Sesame Glaze?
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.
