Quick Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Scallions

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

Pan-seared chicken thighs finished with a rich soy glaze and fresh scallions for a simple, savory dinner. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 500g) boneless chicken thighs, vegetable oil, soy sauce 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless chicken thighs (about 500g) and season both sides lightly with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and cook another 5 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger in a small bowl.
  4. Step 4: Pour the soy-honey mixture over the cooked chicken in the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 2-3 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken until it thickens and coats the thighs.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 3 sliced scallion stalks over the chicken, and serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Quick Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Scallions?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Scallions?

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 Quick Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Scallions 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 Quick Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Scallions?

Chinese 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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