Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

– 1½ lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 medium star fruit, approximately 4 oz (115 g), thinly sliced with seeds removed

For the Star Fruit Ginger Glaze

– 1 cup (150 g) ripe star fruit, diced
– ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
– 3 tablespoons honey
– 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
– 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
– ½ cup chicken broth
– 1 teaspoon cornstarch
– 1 tablespoon cold water

For Garnish

– 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
– 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer.
3. Sear for 5–6 minutes on the first side until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 4–5 minutes.
4. In a small saucepan, combine the diced star fruit, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth.
5. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the star fruit softens.
6. Mash the softened star fruit with a fork or carefully blend the mixture until smooth. Return it to the saucepan if blended.
7. Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth. Stir into the glaze and simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
8. Pour the glaze over the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5–8 minutes, turning the chicken once and spooning glaze over the top.
9. Check the thickest part of each chicken thigh with a meat thermometer. The chicken must reach 165°F (74°C).
10. Add the sliced star fruit during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Turn the slices gently so they become glossy without falling apart.
11. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and spoon the remaining glaze over it.
12. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with jasmine rice and steamed broccoli. The sweet-tart star fruit glaze, fresh ginger, and garlic create a sticky sauce that makes star fruit the central flavor of this dish.