Soy Glazed Chickenwith Cucumber Salad
- 35 min
- Serves 2
- 16 ingredients
15 minutes to prep, 20 to cook. A high‑protein meal‑prep dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet‑savory soy glaze, paired with a crisp Persian cucumber salad tossed in rice vinegar and sesame seeds. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners with Asian‑inspired flavors.
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Method
Slice the Persian cucumbers thinly and place them in a bowl; sprinkle with 2 tsp salt, toss, and let rest for 15 minutes to release water.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The cucumber slices release moisture as they rest. Keep the slices evenly coated with salt.
While the cucumbers rest, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Season both sides of the chicken thighs with 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp black pepper.
Dredge the seasoned chicken in ¼ cup cornstarch, shaking off any excess so the coating is even.
Heat a large non‑stick skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with oil (≈⅓ tbsp).
Add the coated chicken thighs and cook 4‑5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the interior reaches 167°F (165°F).
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The coating is golden and the chicken is cooked through. Check the thickest part of each thigh.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm.
Add the prepared soy glaze (soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, minced garlic) to the hot pan; simmer for 45 seconds, stirring constantly.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The glaze bubbles gently and smells fragrant. Keep stirring so the honey and garlic do not catch.
Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the glaze over it, and coat for an additional 1 minute; remove from heat.
Rinse the salted cucumbers, pat dry, then toss with rice vinegar, brown sugar, ½ tbsp soy sauce, and sesame seeds to finish the salad.
Divide 1½ cups cooked rice among two meal‑prep containers.
Place one chicken thigh on each container, drizzle any remaining glaze over the meat.
Add a generous portion of cucumber salad beside the chicken.
Garnish with sliced green onion and a sprinkle of extra sesame seeds if desired.
To reheat later, keep the salad in a separate zip‑lock bag, microwave the rice covered with a damp paper towel for 1‑2 minutes, then add the chicken and finally the salad.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The rice is steaming hot after reheating. Keep the salad separate until the hot components are ready.
Tips while you cook
- Salt cucumbers early
- Slice and salt the cucumbers first, then let them rest for 15 minutes before rinsing.
- Dry chicken before coating
- Pat the chicken thighs dry before seasoning and dredging in cornstarch.
- Use the hot pan for the glaze
- Add the prepared soy glaze to the same skillet after cooking the chicken and simmer for 45 seconds.
- Reheat rice with moisture
- Cover the rice with a damp paper towel when microwaving for 1‑2 minutes.
Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.
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The recipe comes from Joe Chu’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.
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