Honey Soy Chicken (Print Version)
Tender chicken thighs glazed with honey, soy, garlic and ginger; finished with sesame and scallions.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 1 1/3 lb
→ Marinade
02 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
03 - 3 tbsp honey
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
07 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
09 - 1 tsp sesame seeds
10 - 2 green onions, sliced
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
02 - Place the chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F if baking, or heat a large skillet over medium heat if pan-searing.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving any excess. To bake: arrange the chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes until cooked through, basting once or twice with the reserved marinade. To pan-sear: cook the chicken in the skillet for 6–8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, pouring the remaining marinade over during the last few minutes of cooking.
05 - Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade doubles as a glaze, so nothing goes to waste and every bite is packed with deep savory sweetness.
- Chicken thighs stay incredibly juicy even if you accidentally leave them in the oven a few minutes too long.
02 -
- Do not skip reserving the marinade before cooking because that liquid becomes your glaze and without it you lose half the flavor.
- If pan searing, resist the urge to move the chicken around because a proper golden crust needs uninterrupted contact with the hot surface.
03 -
- Poke a few shallow slashes into each chicken thigh before marinating so the flavor penetrates deeper and the meat cooks more evenly throughout.
- If your honey has crystallized solid, scoop what you need directly into the marinade bowl and microwave the whole mixture for fifteen seconds to bring it back together smoothly.