Soy-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs with Sesame
Juicy grilled chicken thighs brushed with a savory soy glaze and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds for an umami-packed Asian-inspired main dish. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 6 pieces (about 2 lbs) boneless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the honey dissolves and the mixture is well combined.
- Step 2: Place 6 boneless chicken thighs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably up to 4 hours, to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and grill for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the surface is caramelized.
- Step 4: While grilling, brush the chicken occasionally with reserved marinade to build a glossy glaze. Once cooked, transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp thinly sliced scallions over the top. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs with 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs with 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs with 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs with 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.
