Description

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs feature tender, juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked to perfection with a rich, caramelized honey-garlic glaze. This recipe blends sweet honey, savory garlic, soy sauce, and warm spices to create a mouthwatering meal that’s quick to prepare and versatile for any occasion. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, these chicken thighs deliver impressive flavor and satisfying texture with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

Marinade

½ cup honey
5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish (optional)

Chopped green onions
Sesame seeds

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger until smoothly combined, creating a flavorful glaze for the chicken.
Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
Marinate Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure every piece is coated well. Let marinate at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
Flip and Bake: Flip chicken pieces, pour remaining marinade over them in the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
Cook Through: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Baste with Sauce: Halfway through baking, baste the chicken with the pan sauce to maximize flavor and caramelization.
Rest: Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy, tender meat.
Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken before serving for added flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

Use fresh minced garlic for a more vibrant, authentic flavor.
Marinating longer than 15 minutes enhances taste but not required if short on time.
Adjust the honey quantity to your preferred level of sweetness.
Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Serve with rice, steamed vegetables, or fresh salad for a complete meal.
Leftovers can be reheated in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to retain moisture.
Chicken breasts can be substituted but may cook faster and be less forgiving in texture.
Rice vinegar can be substituted with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar if unavailable.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs, Honey Garlic Chicken, Baked Chicken Thighs, Asian Chicken Recipe, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Easy Dinner Recipe