Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy
Tender chicken thighs bathed in a glossy ginger-sesame sauce, served over steamed bok choy for a perfect balance of savory and aromatic flavors. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 12 oz, trimmed and halved bok choy
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt. Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, and 1/4 cup water. Pour into skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water to thicken sauce, cooking for 2 minutes until glossy and coating the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Add 12 oz halved bok choy to the skillet and toss to coat in sauce. Cover and simmer for 4 minutes until bok choy is tender but still crisp.
- Step 6: Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over top. Cook for 1 minute to reheat. Garnish with 1 tsp sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy?
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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy?
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 Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy 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 Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.