Soy-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds
Juicy chicken thighs coated in a savory-sweet glaze and topped with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless and skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice vinegar 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
- 1.5 lbs, boneless and skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Stir in 1/2 tsp cornstarch until dissolved.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs in a shallow dish and pour glaze over them, turning to coat evenly. Marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Pour remaining glaze over chicken and simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 4: Transfer chicken to a plate and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds 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-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds?
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 Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds?
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 Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds 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 Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds?
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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
