Soy-Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy

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

Tender chicken thighs glazed with a savory-sweet soy-sesame sauce, served with perfectly steamed bok choy for a balanced weeknight meal. This asian ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken thighs, soy sauce, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 tsp salt. Heat 1 tsp 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.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and minced 2 garlic cloves until sugar dissolves.
  3. Step 3: Pour sauce over chicken in the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens and clings to chicken.
  4. Step 4: While chicken cooks, cut 1 bunch bok choy into 2-inch pieces and steam for 5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Serve chicken over bok choy, sprinkled with 1 tsp sesame seeds.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-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 Soy-Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy 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.

What goes well with Soy-Glazed Chicken with Bok Choy?

Asian asian 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.

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