Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Greens
Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to a golden crisp, finished with a sticky honey-soy glaze and served alongside garlicky sautéed greens with toasted sesame. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 olive oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 heads, halved lengthwise baby bok choy
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 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. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 7-8 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crisp. Flip thighs and cook for 5 minutes on the other side.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Pour glaze over the chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for another 5 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Step 4: While chicken cooks, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in another skillet over medium heat. Add 2 halved baby bok choy and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender but still vibrant green. Add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if desired.
- Step 5: Serve chicken thighs drizzled with remaining glaze alongside sautéed bok choy sprinkled with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Greens 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 Sesame Greens?
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 Greens?
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 Greens 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 and Sesame Greens 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.
