Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame and Scallion
Juicy chicken thighs marinated and cooked in a rich soy glaze, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for an easy Japanese-inspired main. This japanese ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 4 pieces (about 1 lb) boneless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp grated ginger, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add 4 boneless chicken thighs to the marinade and let sit for at least 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the liquid, and cook the thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 3: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a glossy glaze coating the chicken. Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallion stalks over the chicken before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame and Scallion take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame and Scallion?
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 Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Sesame and Scallion?
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 Sesame and Scallion 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 Sesame and Scallion?
Japanese japanese 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
- ★★★★★
Authentic taste that made my family ask for seconds. The sesame oil in the glaze was a perfect touch.
- ★★★★★
This is now my go-to dinner. The scallion garnish makes it feel restaurant-quality, and the thighs stayed juicy.
- ★★★★☆
My kids loved the sesame crunch on top. Only tweak needed: add a pinch of sugar to balance the soy.
