Soy-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus
Tender chicken thighs coated in a savory soy-ginger glaze, served alongside crisp-tender asparagus for a balanced meal. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless and skinless 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 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, boneless and skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces asparagus
- 1/4 cup, sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a bowl. Add 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1/4 cup water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 4: Pour reserved marinade and cornstarch slurry into the skillet. Simmer for 2 minutes until thickened. Return chicken to skillet and toss to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Add 1 cup asparagus to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup sliced green onions and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Soy-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus?
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 Soy-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus?
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 Soy-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus 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 Soy-Ginger Glazed Chicken Thighs with Asparagus 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
- ★★★★★
Simple, impressive, and my kids devoured the chicken. The ginger really shines.
- ★★★★★
This became our weekly dinner! The glaze sticks perfectly to the thighs and the asparagus stays crisp.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the soy-ginger flavor, but the asparagus needed an extra 5 minutes on the stove.