Chicken thighs marinated in a sweet-savoury dressing for an easy but delicious dinner
Diana Henry
Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.
Published
This barely needs a recipe but is my children’s favourite meal. I wish I had a pound for every time I’ve cooked it.
Requires at least 30 minutes marinating time
Overview
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
45 mins
Serves
4
Ingredients
- 8 large chicken thighs, bone in
- 7 tbsp soy sauce
- 2½ tbsp honey
- 3 tsp sesame oil
- juice of ½ lime
- 4 garlic cloves, grated to a purée
- 4cm cube fresh root ginger, peeled and grated to a purée
- 1½ tsp chilli flakes (or you can use a chilli sauce, to taste, if you like)
- ½ tbsp toasted white sesame seeds, to serve
Method
Step
Trim 8 large chicken thighs, removing any ragged bits of skin.
Step
Put 7 tbsp soy sauce, 2½ tbsp honey, 3 tsp sesame oil, the juice of ½ lime, 4 grated garlic cloves, 4cm cube fresh ginger (peeled and grated) and 1½ tsp chilli flakes (or you can use a chilli sauce, to taste, if you like), into a dish in which the chicken will fit. Add the meat and turn it so that it gets coated.
Step
Cover with cling film and put in the fridge (for as little as 30 minutes; as long as overnight).
Step
Preheat the oven to 190C/180C fan/gas mark 5.
Step
Put the chicken into a roasting tin in which it can all lie in a single layer. Spoon about ½ the marinade on top.
Step
Roast for 35-40 minutes, depending on the size, spooning on more of the marinade halfway through (no later).
Step
Remove to a serving dish and pour the cooking juices over the top. Scatter on ½ tbsp toasted white sesame seeds.
Step
Serve with boiled rice and stir-fried greens or a rainbow salad with an Asian dressing.


























