Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Miso-Sesame Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to a golden brown and finished with a glossy miso-sesame glaze that balances savory and nutty flavors. This Asian-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, white miso paste, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides lightly with salt. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes without moving until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp. Flip and cook an additional 5 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, pour the miso-sesame glaze over the chicken in the skillet, and cook for 2-3 minutes, spooning the glaze over the thighs until it thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp chopped green onions over the top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or sautéed greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Miso-Sesame Glaze 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 Miso-Sesame Glaze?

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 white miso paste from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Miso-Sesame Glaze?

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 Miso-Sesame Glaze 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 Miso-Sesame Glaze?

Asian sandwiches & wraps 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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