Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs (Print)

Sticky soy-and-garlic glazed chicken thighs, oven-baked until caramelized; finished with sesame and green onions.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.2 kg / 2.5 lbs)
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Soy Glaze

04 - 1/3 cup (80 ml) soy sauce (regular or low-sodium)
05 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
06 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
07 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
08 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
09 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
11 - 1 tsp cornstarch
12 - 1 tbsp water

→ Garnish (optional)

13 - 2 tbsp sesame seeds
14 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange on the prepared tray, skin side up.
03 - In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
04 - In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir into the saucepan and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the glaze thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Brush half the glaze over the chicken thighs.
06 - Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, brush with remaining glaze, and bake for another 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 175°F/80°C) and skin is sticky and caramelized.
07 - Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions if desired. Serve hot.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • The glaze caramelizes to a glossy coat you almost want to lick from your fingers.
  • This quickly became my go-to for easy nights when I still wanted to eat well—no fuss, all comfort.
02 -
  • If you rush the sauce, the cornstarch can get lumpy—take a moment to mix it smooth before adding.
  • The broiler is your secret weapon for extra caramelization, but keep your eye on it or you’ll go from sticky to scorched fast.
03 -
  • Check the chicken’s internal temp with a quick thermometer for perfect tender bites every time.
  • Letting the glaze simmer a touch longer gives you that coveted, luscious coat.
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