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Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs Recipe

Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 26 reviews

Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs are a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in a flavorful honey sesame sauce. This recipe combines honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic to create a sticky glaze that perfectly complements the crispy, pan-seared chicken, making it an easy yet impressive meal for weeknights or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Honey Sesame Sauce

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons water

Chicken

  • 8–10 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or more as needed)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Honey Sesame Sauce: Combine the honey, low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Once thickened, set the sauce aside while you prepare the chicken.
  2. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, garlic powder, and paprika to enhance the flavor of the meat.
  3. Coat with Cornstarch: Lightly coat each seasoned chicken thigh on both sides with cornstarch. This helps achieve a crispy exterior when cooking and allows the sauce to cling better.
  4. Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs smooth-side down in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding by cooking in batches if needed. Cook for 5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown then flip and cook for an additional 6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
  5. Coat with Sauce: Pour the prepared honey sesame sauce over the cooked chicken thighs in the skillet. Toss or spoon the sauce over the chicken to fully coat each piece. Allow it to cook together for another minute so the chicken absorbs the flavors and the sauce becomes sticky.

Notes

  • You can use chicken breasts if you prefer, but thighs offer more flavor and juiciness.
  • Adjust the amount of brown sugar for sweetness based on your preference.
  • If the sauce isn’t thickening enough, add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer further.
  • Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • For extra crunch, garnish with additional toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Nutrition

Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Easy Chicken Recipe, Asian Chicken, Sticky Chicken, Sesame Sauce, Sweet and Savory Chicken

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/honey-sesame-chicken-thighs-recipe/