Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pan-seared chicken breasts glazed with a sweet and savory honey-soy sauce, served alongside garlic-infused sautéed spinach with toasted sesame seeds. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Asian Fusion cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) 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 until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  2. Step 2: While chicken cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl. When chicken is almost done, reduce heat to medium, pour honey-soy mixture over the chicken, and cook for 2 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken until it thickens and glazes the meat.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. In the same skillet, add 1 tsp sesame oil and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 6 cups fresh spinach and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green.
  4. Step 4: Plate chicken breasts topped with remaining glaze from the pan and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the spinach before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach 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 with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach?

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 with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 with Honey-Soy Glaze and Sesame Spinach?

Asian Fusion 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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