Description
These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs bake up with incredibly crispy skin and a sticky-sweet garlic glaze. Simple pantry staples (honey, soy, butter, garlic) deliver big flavor with minimal effort—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 lb)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
HONEY GARLIC SAUCE
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
FINISH
- Chopped parsley or scallions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil and lightly oil or use parchment.
2. Pat chicken dry. Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Arrange skin-side up with space between pieces.
3. Make sauce: melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds. Stir in honey, soy, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 2–3 minutes until glossy; remove from heat.
4. Brush thighs generously with sauce (reserve about one-third for basting). Bake 30–35 minutes, basting once halfway.
5. Optional: Broil 2–3 minutes to caramelize, watching closely (honey browns fast).
6. Rest 5 minutes. Spoon pan juices over chicken; finish with parsley/sesame. Serve with rice, roasted veggies, or salad.
Notes
Tip: Dry skin = crisp skin. Pat chicken very dry before seasoning.
Temperature: Cook to 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
Swap-ins: Use boneless/skinless thighs (reduce bake time to ~25–28 minutes) or chicken breasts (22–25 minutes, depending on thickness).
Make it spicier: Add 1–2 tsp sriracha or chili paste to the sauce.
Make it brighter: Stir in orange zest/juice for citrus-honey garlic.
Reheat: Oven 375°F (190°C) 10–12 min; Air fryer 350°F (175°C) 5–6 min.
Freezer-friendly: Cool baked thighs; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat as above.
Serving ideas & sides:
• Fluffy rice or mashed potatoes
• Steamed broccoli or snap peas
• Simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar
Internal links:
Learn more about slow-cooked garlicky comfort: https://www.tastymealstodo.com/garlic-parmesan-crockpot-chicken-and-potatoes/
Check out a sticky-sweet noodle twist: https://www.tastymealstodo.com/sticky-garlic-chicken-noodles/
Don’t miss our perfect pairing side: https://www.tastymealstodo.com/honey-garlic-roasted-brussels-sprouts/
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Chicken
- Method: Oven-Baked, One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 145mg