Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Rice
Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory honey-soy sauce, paired with fluffy sesame-infused jasmine rice. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 45 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 480 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 olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2, thinly sliced scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and 1 1/4 cups water in a saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Pat 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs dry. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook 5-6 minutes more until cooked through.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger.
- Step 5: Pour the honey-soy mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, spooning the glaze over the chicken for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 6: Fluff the cooked jasmine rice with a fork, stir in 1 tsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
- Step 7: Serve the glazed chicken thighs over the sesame rice, garnished with 2 thinly sliced scallions.
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 Rice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Rice?
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 Rice?
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 Rice 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 Sesame Rice?
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.
