Looking for a quick and easy dinner that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than this delicious Sticky Asian Chicken Thighs recipe! This dish is packed with flavor, with a sweet and savory sauce that clings to the chicken perfectly. Plus, it’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 5 pieces)
- Salt and pepper (optional)
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
For the Garnish:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
EQUIPMENT
- Whisk
- Kitchen tongs
- Digital thermometer
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then pierce it lightly with a sharp knife. This helps the sauce absorb better and speeds up cooking.
- Heat sesame oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil starts shimmering, add the chicken thighs, smooth side down. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the chicken for 7 ½ minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Reduce the heat to medium after a few minutes to prevent over-browning. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate. Discard the excess fat and scrape any browned bits from the skillet. Wipe the pan with a paper towel to remove any remaining grease.
- In a bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce into the skillet, set the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Uncover, reduce the heat, and stir constantly until the sauce thickens to your liking, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken back into the skillet one piece at a time, coating each piece in the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
- Serve hot over rice.
Notes:
- Double the sauce recipe if you want extra sauce for the rice or leftover chicken. The chicken absorbs the sauce as it sits, so you may need more for leftovers.
- Try using cubed chicken or drumsticks if you don’t have thighs available.
- To prevent splattering, lower the heat when searing the chicken.
- You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge in an airtight container, like a mason jar.
NUTRITION (PER SERVING)
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 129mg
- Sodium: 1114mg
- Potassium: 435mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 11g
- Vitamin A: 81 IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 45mg
- Iron: 2mg
