Sweet Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Steamed Rice

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

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory soy sauce mixture, paired perfectly with fluffy steamed rice for a simple family-friendly meal. This asian fusion-inspired kid friendly ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, low sodium soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 25 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger until well combined.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Pour the soy-honey mixture over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens to a glaze.
  4. Step 4: While the chicken cooks, rinse 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 3 cups water and bring to a boil.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer the rice for 15 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Serve the glazed chicken thighs over the steamed rice. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds for a fresh finish.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Soy-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 low sodium soy sauce from drying out.

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

Asian Fusion kid friendly 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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