Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Toasted Sesame

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared and finished in a sweet and savory honey-soy glaze, garnished with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar 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 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger until well combined.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then add to the skillet skin-side down if skin is on, or just side down if skinless. Sear for 4-5 minutes without moving until golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs and pour the prepared honey-soy glaze over them. Reduce heat to medium and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce thickens and coats the thighs.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced green onions on top for garnish. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Toasted Sesame 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Toasted Sesame?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Toasted Sesame?

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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Toasted Sesame 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Honey-Soy Glaze and Toasted Sesame?

Asian 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.

Related recipes