Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Ginger and Sesame
Tender chicken thighs bathed in a savory-sweet glaze with aromatic ginger and toasted sesame seeds. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs pounds boneless chicken thighs, tablespoons soy sauce, tablespoons honey 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then place in a baking dish.
- Step 2: Whisk 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl. Pour half over chicken, rubbing to coat evenly.
- Step 3: Bake for 25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), basting with remaining sauce halfway through. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Ginger and Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Ginger and 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 tablespoons soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Ginger and 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 Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Ginger and 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 Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Ginger and 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
