Creating this delectable Soy Glazed Chicken is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve chicken that is tender, flavorful, and beautifully glazed:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat Dry: Begin by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it removes excess moisture, allowing the chicken to brown beautifully and absorb the glaze more effectively.
2. Trim Excess Fat (Optional): If desired, trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. While a little fat is beneficial for flavor and moisture, too much can render out and make the dish greasy.

Step 2: Make the Soy Glaze

1. Combine Glaze Ingredients: In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and toasted sesame oil. Ensure all ingredients are well combined.
2. Thicken the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) and water until smooth, creating a slurry. This will prevent lumps from forming in the glaze.
3. Simmer and Thicken: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan with the glaze mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
4. Cook Until Thickened: Continue to simmer and stir the glaze for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens to a syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon. Be careful not to let it boil vigorously, which can make the glaze too thick or burn.
5. Remove from Heat: Once the glaze has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

You have several options for cooking your chicken, each offering slightly different results. Choose the method that best suits your preferences and equipment:

Option 1: Pan-Frying and Glazing (Stovetop)

1. Heat Oil in Skillet: Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil or olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Sear Chicken: Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs to the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until nicely browned. Browning the chicken adds depth of flavor and texture.
3. Pour in Glaze: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the prepared soy glaze over the chicken in the skillet.
4. Simmer and Glaze: Simmer the chicken in the glaze, turning occasionally to ensure it’s evenly coated and cooked through. Continue to cook for approximately 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the glaze has reduced and thickened further, clinging beautifully to the chicken.
5. Baste Frequently: During the last few minutes of cooking, baste the chicken frequently with the glaze to build up a rich, glossy coating.

Option 2: Baking and Glazing (Oven)

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Arrange Chicken in Baking Dish: Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in a baking dish.
3. Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until mostly cooked through.
4. Pour Glaze Over Chicken: Remove the baking dish from the oven and pour the prepared soy glaze evenly over the chicken.
5. Continue Baking and Glazing: Return the baking dish to the oven and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the glaze has thickened and caramelized slightly. Baste the chicken with the glaze a couple of times during the final baking minutes.
6. Broil for Extra Gloss (Optional): For an extra glossy and slightly caramelized finish, you can broil the chicken for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Option 3: Grilling and Glazing (Outdoor Grill)

1. Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350-400°F or 175-200°C).
2. Grill Chicken: Grill the chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side, or until nicely marked and partially cooked.
3. Brush with Glaze: Brush the chicken generously with the soy glaze.
4. Continue Grilling and Glazing: Continue to grill the chicken, flipping and basting with the glaze every few minutes, until it’s cooked through and beautifully glazed. This will take approximately another 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken and the heat of your grill. Be mindful of flare-ups due to the sugar in the glaze.
5. Move to Indirect Heat (If Needed): If the glaze is browning too quickly before the chicken is cooked through, move the chicken to indirect heat on the grill and continue cooking until done.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle the cooked Soy Glazed Chicken with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and red pepper flakes (if using) for visual appeal and added flavor.
2. Serve Immediately: Serve the Soy Glazed Chicken hot and enjoy!