Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame
Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection and coated in a sticky honey-soy glaze with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for crunch. This asian-inspired chicken 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 420 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 6 pieces (about 2 lbs) boneless skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2, minced garlic clove
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 6 boneless 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 until shimmering. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden brown and crisp. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes until cooked through.
- Step 3: While chicken cooks, combine in a small bowl 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger. Stir until honey dissolves.
- Step 4: Pour the honey-soy mixture over the chicken in the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Spoon the glaze over the chicken continuously as it simmers for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp sliced green onions over the glazed chicken. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame 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 and Sesame?
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 Sesame?
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 Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Sesame?
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.
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