Pan-Seared Sesame-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Honey and Lime

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

Crispy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-tangy honey-lime sauce and toasted sesame, finished with fresh ginger. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, sesame oil, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 16 oz chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 8 minutes until skin is golden and crisp, then flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 1 lime juiced to the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Transfer chicken to a plate, then pour the sauce into the skillet. Stir in 1 tsp sesame seeds and cook for 1 minute until toasted.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, coating with sauce, and cook for 1 minute to reheat. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sesame-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Honey and Lime 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 Sesame-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Honey and Lime?

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 sesame oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Sesame-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Honey and Lime?

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 Sesame-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Honey and Lime 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 Sesame-Ginger Chicken Thighs with Honey and Lime 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.

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