Get ready to meet your new weeknight dinner obsession. These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and sticky, all coming together in just 30 minutes. It’s a simple, flavor-packed meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
We’re talking about incredibly juicy, tender chicken thighs with perfectly crispy skin, smothered in an irresistible honey garlic sauce. This recipe is designed for busy home cooks who crave delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s straightforward, uses pantry staples, and delivers restaurant-quality results every single time.
Why This is the Only Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe You’ll Need
Forget complicated recipes with long ingredient lists. This dish is the epitome of simplicity and flavor, making it a true kitchen hero for any occasion.
Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in about 30 minutes, this is the ultimate answer to the “what’s for dinner?” question on a busy night.
Incredible Flavor: The sauce is a perfectly balanced blend of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and sharp garlic that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry right now.
Perfectly Juicy & Crispy: By searing the chicken first and then finishing it in the oven, you get that crave-worthy crispy skin while keeping the meat unbelievably tender and moist.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this amazing meal to life.
The magic happens when the sauce hits the pan!
For the Chicken:
Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are highly recommended for the best flavor and juiciest results. The skin gets wonderfully crispy and delicious.
Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken to create a golden-brown crust.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the other flavors.
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
Honey: The star of the show, providing the signature sweetness and helping the sauce caramelize.
Soy Sauce: Use a low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness while adding a deep, savory umami flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for a powerful, aromatic punch.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity to cut through the sweetness and balance the sauce.
Cornstarch: Mixed with water to create a slurry, this is the secret to a thick, glossy sauce that clings to the chicken.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Follow these simple steps to create a meal that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, right in your own kitchen. It’s a straightforward process that guarantees delicious success.
Step 1: Prepare and Sear the Chicken
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels; this is a crucial step for achieving that super crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Next, heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
While the chicken is searing, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. In a separate tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to form a smooth slurry. Whisk the slurry into the honey garlic mixture until well combined.
Step 3: Combine and Bake
Pour the honey garlic sauce directly over the seared chicken thighs in the skillet. Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). In the last few minutes, you can spoon some of the sauce from the pan over the chicken for an extra glossy finish.
Expert Tips for Recipe Success
Unlock the full potential of your dish with these simple but effective tips from our kitchen to yours.
Simple pantry staples are all you need for this explosion of flavor.
Don’t Skip the Sear: Searing the chicken skin-side down is non-negotiable for crispy skin. It renders the fat and creates a beautiful, crunchy texture.
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: A cast-iron skillet is perfect for this recipe as it goes seamlessly from stovetop to oven, minimizing cleanup.
Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and tender.
Thicken the Sauce: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can remove the chicken from the skillet and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for a few extra minutes until it reduces to a syrupy glaze.
These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are incredibly versatile. You can pair them with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal.
Rice: Fluffy white or brown rice is perfect for soaking up the extra honey garlic sauce.
Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans tossed in a little olive oil and roasted alongside the chicken make for a simple and healthy side.
Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes or roasted potato wedges are a hearty and comforting option.
Salad: A crisp, fresh salad like this Asian Cucumber Salad (coming soon) can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the chicken.
If you’re looking for more comforting dinner ideas, our Creamy Ranch Chicken is another family favorite.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. This method helps to re-crisp the skin. You can also gently reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless thighs cook faster, so you’ll want to reduce the baking time to about 10-12 minutes. You won’t get the crispy skin, but the chicken will still be incredibly juicy and flavorful.
The most important step is to pat the chicken thighs completely dry with a paper towel before you season them. Searing them skin-side down in a hot skillet until golden brown before baking is also essential for that perfect crunch.
Yes! To adapt this for an air fryer, cook the chicken thighs at 380°F (195°C) for about 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush the honey garlic sauce on during the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent it from burning.
If you need a soy-free alternative, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos. If using coconut aminos, you may want to add a little extra salt, as it’s less salty than soy sauce.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the oven or a skillet to help crisp the skin back up.
These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are the perfect weeknight dinner! Juicy, tender chicken with crispy skin is baked in a sticky, savory-sweet honey garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp. Flip and sear for 2 more minutes.
While chicken sears, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then whisk it into the sauce mixture.
Pour the sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon extra glaze from the pan over the top.
Nutrition
Calories: 410kcalProtein: 30gFat: 22gFiber: 0.5g
Notes
For extra crispy skin: Make sure you pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning. Any moisture will prevent the skin from crisping up. Sauce thickness: If you'd like a thicker, more syrupy glaze, simply remove the chicken from the pan after baking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until it reduces.
This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe is a true testament to the fact that you don’t need complicated steps or exotic ingredients to create a spectacular meal. It’s a dish that brings comfort and flavor to your table with minimal effort. If you make it and love it, please consider sharing your creation on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see it!
You're just 30 minutes away from these incredibly sticky and delicious honey garlic chicken thighs!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
