Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions
Tender chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-spicy honey sauce, finished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for a flavorful Asian-inspired dish. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, tablespoons honey, tablespoons soy sauce 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 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons sliced scallions
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes until well combined.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, skin side down if applicable, and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown and crisp at the edges.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs and pour the honey-soy mixture over them. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 6-8 minutes more, spooning the sauce over the chicken occasionally until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken beautifully.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and 3 tablespoons sliced scallions over the chicken. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions 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 Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions?
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 honey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions?
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 Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions 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 Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions?
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.
