Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Ginger
Tender pan-seared chicken thighs glazed with a vibrant honey-soy and fresh ginger sauce, served with a touch of sesame and scallions for brightness. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 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 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
- 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the skillet and sear without moving for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium and add 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/4 cup water. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and spoon the honey-soy glaze over them. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, turning the chicken to glaze all sides.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the chicken, sprinkle with 2 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 and Ginger?
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 and Ginger?
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 and Ginger 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-Soy Glaze and Ginger?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious! The ginger added a nice kick. My husband loved it too. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Loved the balance of sweet and savory. The chicken thighs were juicy and the glaze stuck perfectly. Easy and impressive.
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit with my family! The honey-soy glaze made the chicken so tender and flavorful. Will make again.
