Description
A quick and easy recipe for chicken thighs with crispy edges and a sticky, flavorful sesame garlic sauce that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless skin-on chicken thighs
- 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (60 ml), low-sodium recommended
- 3 tablespoons honey (60 ml)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15 ml)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (about 5 g) – optional
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced (about 30 g)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (9 g)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. When oil is shimmering, place chicken thighs skin-side down without crowding the pan. Cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until skin is deep golden and crispy.
- Flip chicken and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the same skillet and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Stir and let the sauce bubble and thicken for 2-3 minutes until glossy and sticky.
- Return chicken to the pan, skin-side up, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and simmer for 2 minutes to let flavors soak in.
- Sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or favorite sides.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before cooking for crispy skin. Keep heat moderate when reducing sauce to avoid burning. Toast sesame seeds for extra flavor. Sauce can be made ahead and reheated with freshly seared chicken. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 35
Keywords: sticky sesame garlic chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, sesame chicken, garlic chicken, quick dinner, family favorite