Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a sticky honey soy glaze, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, vegetable oil 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 cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 7-8 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken and cook for another 6-7 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken thighs to the skillet and spoon the honey soy glaze over them, cooking for 1-2 minutes to coat well.
  7. Step 7: Serve chicken garnished with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy 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 Soy 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 Soy 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 Soy 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.

Is Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy Glaze 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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