Description
This Easy 5-Ingredient Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners. Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are pan-seared until crispy, then simmered in a flavorful honey garlic soy sauce for a deliciously sticky and savory glaze. Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple skillet dish delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky notes that your whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes
- Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Sauce
- 1/4 cup (85 grams) honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce (regular or low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil or neutral cooking oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim any excess fat if desired. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined. Set aside.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
- Cook Chicken Skin-Side Down: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Press down gently with tongs to keep the skin flat. Cook without moving for 5-7 minutes until the skin is deep golden and crispy.
- Flip the Chicken: Turn the chicken thighs over and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Simmer and Glaze: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 8-10 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optional: add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, ensure the chicken is patted completely dry before cooking.
- Use low sodium soy sauce for reduced salt content.
- Adjust the honey quantity based on your preferred sweetness level.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, chicken thighs, easy weeknight dinner, skillet chicken, honey soy chicken, garlic chicken recipe
