Name: Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs; 1 tbsp Avocado Oil; ⅓ cup Rice Vinegar; ½ cup Soy Sauce; ¼ cup Brown Sugar; 1 tbsp Chili Garlic Sauce; 1 tbsp Garlic (minced); 1 ½ tbsp Ginger (minced); Sesame Seeds; Green Onion (sliced)

If you’re craving a dish that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors wrapped around tender, juicy meat, the Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe is your new kitchen best friend. This recipe delivers a beautifully glossy, flavor-packed glaze that clings to every bite of succulent chicken thighs, creating an irresistible combination of textures and tastes that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing guests, this dish offers an impressive restaurant-quality meal with straightforward ingredients and simple steps. Let me walk you through everything you need to create this mouthwatering masterpiece.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a wooden surface with a black cloth featuring white grid lines spread on it. On the cloth, there is a fresh piece of ginger root with a rough, light brown texture and several long, green spring onions lying next to it. Near the cloth sits a small, white bowl filled with soft, light brown sugar and a silver spoon inside. Behind the ingredients, there is a package holding raw, light pink chicken thighs and three bottles of sauces: a yellow bottle of rice vinegar, a brown bottle of chili garlic sauce, and a small dark bottle of soy sauce. The whole setup is arranged neatly with a white marbled texture surface visible in the background photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe plays a vital role, from adding brightness and depth to building that signature sticky glaze that coats the chicken beautifully. It’s a simple lineup but masterfully balanced to create layers of flavor and mouthwatering color.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: These deliver juicy, tender meat that’s perfect for absorbing the glaze.
Avocado Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point that helps sear the chicken to a gorgeous golden-brown exterior without burning.
Rice Vinegar: Adds an essential tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the chicken and sugar.
Soy Sauce: Provides salty umami depth and a beautiful dark color to the glaze.
Brown Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes perfectly, helping to create the irresistible sticky texture.
Chili Garlic Sauce: Offers a spicy kick and garlicky warmth that wakes up the palate.
Garlic (minced): Enhances the savory notes and adds aromatic richness.
Ginger (minced): Brings a fresh, zesty heat that complements the spice and sweetness.
Sesame Seeds (optional): Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty crunch and beautiful garnish.
Green Onion (sliced, optional): Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color as a finishing touch.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

Start by mixing the rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. These flavors are the heart of your sticky glaze, bringing a harmonious balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy that will coat your chicken beautifully.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add your chicken thighs and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side to lock in moisture and develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust. This initial sear sets the texture foundation for the dish.

Step 3: Simmer in the Glaze

Pour the prepared vinegar and soy sauce mixture over the chicken and bring it to a rolling boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This slow simmer cooks the chicken to juicy perfection while thickening the glaze into that luscious sticky coating that clings to every piece.

Step 4: Adjust the Glaze Thickness

If the glaze isn’t sticky enough for your liking once the chicken is cooked through, temporarily remove the chicken from the pan. Turn the heat up to medium and continue to stir the sauce until it thickens to a glossy, syrup-like consistency. Then, return the chicken for a final coat of flavor.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finish off your Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh sliced green onions if you like. These add texture, color, and a fresh, nutty finish that makes the dish truly shine.

How to Serve Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

The image shows a grey frying pan filled with several pieces of golden-brown cooked meat, each piece covered in a thick, shiny reddish-brown sauce. The pieces are arranged closely but unevenly across the pan, with the sauce pooling around them, giving a glossy, moist look. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Simple touches like toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions lift this dish to new heights visually and flavor-wise. The sesame seeds give a subtle nutty crunch, while green onions provide freshness and a splash of vivid green that brightens every bite.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice to soak up the sticky glaze, stir-fried vegetables for a vibrant crunch, or even a light Asian cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast. These sides complement and balance the flavors while rounding out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow your guests? Serve the chicken over a bed of fluffy coconut rice garnished with cilantro and crushed peanuts. Or plate it alongside a colorful medley of roasted carrots and snap peas drizzled with a little extra glaze. Presentation can be as simple or as elegant as you like to highlight the irresistible appeal of this Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken thighs along with the glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the glaze with the chicken helps maintain moistness and flavor.

Freezing

If you want to save it for later, the chicken freezes well. Place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to warm through without drying out the chicken, adding a splash of water or stock if needed to loosen the glaze. Microwave reheating works too, but be sure to cover it to retain moisture.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe?

Absolutely! Bone-in thighs will take a bit longer to cook and may need a few extra minutes of simmering, but they bring even more flavor. Just make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165° F for safety.

Is this recipe very spicy?

The chili garlic sauce adds a nice kick, but the spice level is moderate and balanced by the sweetness of the brown sugar. You can adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce depending on your heat preference.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! The glaze can be mixed up to a day before cooking and stored covered in the fridge. This can make the cooking process even quicker and more convenient.

What can I substitute for rice vinegar?

If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as alternatives, but be mindful that it might slightly change the flavor profile.

Are chicken breasts a good alternative?

Chicken breasts can be used, but they tend to be leaner and can dry out faster. If using breasts, keep a close eye while simmering and consider lowering the heat to prevent toughness. Thighs are ideal for this Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe has quickly become one of those go-to dishes I love sharing with friends because it brings an amazing balance of flavors and a beautiful, sticky finish every time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions when you want something that tastes incredible without fuss. Give it a try, and you might just find yourself making it again and again!

Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need