Garlic Butter Soy Chicken Thighs

Garlic Butter Soy Chicken Thighs is a medium Japanese recipe that serves 4. 280 calories per serving. Recipe by Ian Fujimoto on YouTube.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 21 min | Total: 46 min

Cost: $7.53 total, $1.88 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 lb Chicken thighs, bone‑in, skin‑on (Trim excess fat; about 4‑5 thighs)
  • 0.25 cup Soy sauce (Low‑sodium preferred)
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted butter (Cut into pieces for quick melting)
  • 1 tbsp Honey (Adds a subtle sweetness)
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.25 tsp White pepper
  • 4 cloves Fresh garlic cloves (Minced)
  • 4 stalks Green onions (Separate whites from greens; whites minced, greens sliced for garnish)
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil (or canola oil) (High smoke‑point oil for searing)

Instructions

  1. Prep aromatics

    Trim the green onions, separating the white parts from the green tops. Roughly chop the white parts and slice the greens for garnish. Peel and mince the garlic cloves.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Season the chicken

    Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt, white pepper, and garlic powder. Let sit while the pan heats.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Sear the chicken

    Heat the skillet over high heat until a drop of water sizzles and evaporates. Add the vegetable oil, swirling to coat. Place the thighs skin‑side down and sear without moving for 4‑5 minutes until the skin is deep golden‑brown and releases easily. Flip and sear the other side 3‑4 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: High heat (≈400°F)

  4. Rest the chicken

    Transfer the seared thighs to a plate and set aside while you build the sauce.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Sauté aromatics

    Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and the chopped white parts of the green onions to the same skillet. Stir constantly for 1‑2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium heat (≈350°F)

  6. Create the glaze

    Pour in the soy sauce, add the butter pieces, and drizzle the honey. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture bubbles. Let it reduce for 3‑4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: Medium‑high heat (≈375°F)

  7. Finish the chicken in the glaze

    Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin side up. Spoon the glaze over the meat and let everything simmer together for 5 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and nicely glazed.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium heat (≈350°F)

  8. Plate and garnish

    Transfer the thighs to a serving platter, drizzle any remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle the sliced green onion greens for color and freshness.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
280
Protein
22 g
Carbohydrates
9 g
Fat
18 g
Fiber
0.5 g

Dietary info: High‑protein, Low‑carb, Gluten‑free (if using tamari)

Allergens: Dairy, Soy, Honey

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Garlic Butter Soy Chicken Thighs

Recipe by Ian Fujimoto

A quick, high‑protein Asian‑fusion chicken thigh dish featuring a savory soy‑butter glaze, sweet honey, and fragrant garlic‑green onion aromatics. Perfect for a satisfying dinner that feels indulgent yet stays low‑carb.

MediumJapaneseServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
35m
Prep
5m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
50m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$7.53
Total cost
$1.88
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Searing the chicken on a very hot pan to develop a deep char.
  • Avoiding burnt garlic by cooking aromatics only until fragrant.
  • Reducing the soy‑butter‑honey glaze to the right thickness.

Safety Warnings

  • The skillet will be extremely hot; use oven mitts when handling.
  • Hot oil can splatter when adding garlic; keep face away and add ingredients slowly.

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