Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds
Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection, glazed with a sweet and savory honey-soy sauce, and finished with nutty toasted sesame seeds. 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 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
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and 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 cook for 6-7 minutes without moving until skin is golden brown and crisp.
- Step 3: Flip chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon the glaze over them, and cook for 1-2 minutes more to coat.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp chopped green onions over the chicken before serving.
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 Seeds 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 Seeds?
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 Seeds?
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 Seeds 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 Seeds 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.
