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Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sesame Ginger Glaze

crispy honey garlic chicken thighs - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe featuring crispy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic glaze with a fresh sesame ginger twist. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon neutral oil (canola or vegetable) for cooking

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of neutral oil. Let it get hot but not smoking. (2 minutes)
  3. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Press lightly with a spatula or tongs to ensure full contact with the pan. Cook without moving for 7-9 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
  4. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 6-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Optionally cover loosely with a lid to speed cooking but watch skin crispness. (6-8 minutes)
  5. Remove the chicken from the pan and tent with foil to rest. (5 minutes)
  6. Reduce heat to low. In the same pan, add minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  7. Add honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the pan. Stir well and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and becomes sticky, about 3-4 minutes. (4 minutes)
  8. Return the chicken thighs to the pan and turn to coat fully with the glaze. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes so the skin absorbs the sauce. (2 minutes)
  9. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and crushed red pepper flakes over the top. Serve immediately while skin is crispy and glaze is warm. (1 minute)

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before cooking is essential for crispy skin. Cook skin-side down without moving to form a crust. Use medium heat to avoid burning the glaze. If glaze thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed. Rest chicken uncovered to keep skin crispy. Leftovers reheat best in a skillet or toaster oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, crispy chicken thighs, sesame ginger glaze, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, gluten-free option, dairy-free

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/crispy-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-30-minute-sesame-ginger-glaze/