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Ultimate Sticky Chicken

Ultimate Sticky Chicken

This Ultimate Sticky Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and tender flavors with a sticky, glossy glaze. Easy to prepare and packed with savory umami, it is great for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or meal prep. Made with boneless skinless chicken thighs infused with a honey-soy marinade, this dish guarantees juicy, flavorful bites that everyone will love.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Marinade & Glaze

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 3 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for variation)
  • 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)

Garnishes (optional)

  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Finely sliced green onions
  • Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, rice vinegar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and chili flakes if using, to create the flavorful glaze that will coat the chicken.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs into the marinade and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor absorption.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve the marinade) and pat dry for a crispier exterior. Cook thighs skin-side down until nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes per side.
  4. Make it sticky and glossy: Pour the reserved marinade into the pan along with the cooked chicken. Simmer gently, turning the chicken to coat in the thickened glaze until sticky and shiny, about 5 minutes.
  5. Serve warm: Once the glaze thickens and clings nicely to the chicken, remove from heat and garnish as desired before serving.

Notes

  • Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juiciness and tenderness.
  • Longer marinating (up to 2 hours) intensifies flavor and moisture.
  • Cook on medium heat to avoid burning the glaze sugars and to achieve caramelization.
  • Reserve the raw marinade and add only after the chicken is cooked to maintain food safety.
  • Pat chicken dry before cooking to get a crispier glaze and prevent steaming.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-frying
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired
  • Diet: Gluten Free (when using tamari or coconut aminos)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with glaze
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: sticky chicken, honey soy chicken, easy chicken dinner, Asian chicken recipe, gluten free chicken, savory chicken glaze, weeknight dinner