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Easy Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and easy honey sesame chicken thighs recipe that delivers crispy skin and a sticky, flavorful glaze perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup (85 g) honey
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola or vegetable) for cooking
  • Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
  • Thinly sliced green onions for garnish
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat or maple syrup as honey substitute

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper on both sides. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir until blended.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add neutral oil and heat until shimmering.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and press gently for even contact. Cook undisturbed for 6-8 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs and cook the other side for 5 minutes until mostly cooked through.
  6. Pour the honey sesame glaze over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce bubble gently for 4-5 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken regularly until thick and sticky.
  7. Check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or juices run clear.
  8. Remove from heat and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Do not flip chicken too often to develop a golden crust. Lower heat when adding glaze to avoid burning sugars. If sauce thickens too much before chicken is done, add a splash of water or chicken broth. Cook in batches if pan overcrowded. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat gently with added liquid to loosen sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey sesame chicken, chicken thighs recipe, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy chicken recipe, crispy chicken skin, honey glaze

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/easy-honey-sesame-chicken-thighs-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinners/