Description

A quick, 30-minute weeknight dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs with a shatteringly crisp cornstarch crust, tossed in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. It’s a one-pan meal that is perfect for meal prep and feels fancy without the effort.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or vegetable)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
½ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
¼ cup chicken broth
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted)
2 stalks green onions, sliced

Instructions

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness. Toss the chicken in a bowl with cornstarch until lightly coated, shaking off any excess.
Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken pieces skin-side down in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary).
Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes without moving it to develop a golden crust. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes.
Reduce skillet heat to medium. Pour the sauce into the same skillet with the chicken drippings and simmer for 1 minute to thicken slightly.
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Remove from heat, drizzle with sesame oil, and toss once more.
Serve immediately, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan, or the chicken will steam instead of sear. For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari. The dish reheats best in a skillet with a splash of water to maintain texture.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
Calories: 450
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 650
Fat: 22
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 1
Protein: 35

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy weeknight dinner, 30 minute meals, one pan dinner, honey garlic sauce, chicken thigh recipes, meal prep chicken