Sweet Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice

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

Tender chicken thighs glazed with a simple honey-soy sauce served alongside fluffy steamed rice, a perfect comforting meal for kids. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and 3 cups water in a medium pot, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low, simmer covered for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, season 6 bone-in chicken thighs evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook 5 minutes more.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves.
  5. Step 5: Pour the honey-soy mixture over the chicken in the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, spooning sauce over the chicken, for 5-6 minutes until the glaze thickens and coats the chicken nicely.
  6. Step 6: Serve the glazed chicken thighs hot with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Sweet Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice?

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 Sweet Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice 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 Sweet Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice?

Asian Fusion 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.

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