Soy-Glaze Chicken Thighs with Asparagus

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

Tender chicken thighs coated in a savory-sweet glaze, served with roasted asparagus for a balanced keto dinner. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs, soy sauce, avocado oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Asian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 3 minutes more.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp soy sauce to the skillet and arrange 12 oz trimmed asparagus around the chicken. Transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F and roast for 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and asparagus is tender-crisp.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Glaze Chicken Thighs with Asparagus 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 Soy-Glaze 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-Glaze 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-Glaze Chicken Thighs with Asparagus for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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-Glaze 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.

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