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These sweet and sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are marinated in apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, chili sauce and garlic, brushed with sweet honey and baked to caramelized perfection!

The sweetness of the honey with the garlic, soy sauce, chili and vinegar adds such an amazing dimension to the flavors.
Plus, these thighs are so easy to make, they are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, almost as easy as this Instant Pot Lemon Chicken, air fryer boneless chicken thighs or these sous vide chicken thighs (which are sooo good too).
I could not get enough of that sweet and savory caramelized chicken skin - it was just a addictive and delicious as the skin on this grapefruit chicken or this Vietnamese Chicken.
I could just eat the skin. But then I'd be missing out on the tender, juicy, flavor packed pieces of dark meat chicken....yum. I mean guys, this recipe is so easy and so delicious, it's really the perfect weeknight meal.
**If you like chicken thighs, try these Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs, or these Wine Braised Chicken Thighs **
The Ingredients
Chicken thighs with bones and skin are used in this recipe. I believe they provide the best results as the chicken thighs stays tender and juicy while cooking. You can substitute chicken breasts, but I recommend using bone in breasts.
Buy organic, free range chicken thighs for the best flavor! Chicken thighs are one of my favorite things to cook. This Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken is also incredible!
Read more about the benefits of eating free range chicken.
This honey garlic chicken thighs recipe calls for jarred garlic instead of fresh because the juices from the jarred garlic add a briny flavor to the marinade. Buy jar garlic (affiliate link).
The chili garlic sauce adds just a touch of spice to the chicken thighs. Buy chili garlic sauce (affiliate link).
You can also substitute the regular honey for this tangy, spicy hot honey.
The remaining ingredients are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step By Step Instructions
Combine marinade ingredients with chicken and place in the fridge for 6-8 hours.
Place the chicken in a cast iron skillet. Sprinkle both sides generously with the salt.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Remove, baste with honey, and cook another 5-10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160F. Skin should be crisp when chicken is done. If it isn't, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp it up.
Internal temperature of the chicken should be 160F and juices should run clear. I use a thermometer like this Thermapen to check the temperature of the chicken.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken
- Start with a fresh salad like this Strawberry Spinach Salad;
- Serve it with a fresh roasted vegetable like these Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts, Sous Vide Corn on the Cob, or these Braised Green Beans;
- This chicken would be incredible with these Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Roasted Acorn Squash...
- ...OR these Crispy Roasted Potatoes OR Hasselback Potatoes.
Expert Tips
- If skin isn't crispy when done, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two. Be sure to watch it as the chicken will burn quickly.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should be 160F degrees when done.
- The chicken will have the best flavor if you marinade for the full 8 hours, or up to overnight.
- You can substitute chicken breasts, but I recommend using bone in breasts.
Tools Used
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Baking rack
- Thermapen MK4 thermometer
- Glass bowl
Did you make this recipe? Rate it and leave me a comment below to let me know how it turned out!
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon jar garlic jarred
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Combine marinade ingredients with chicken and place in the fridge for 6-8 hours, or overnight.Â
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
- Place the chicken in a cast iron skillet. Sprinkle both sides generously with the salt.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.Â
- Remove, baste with honey, and cook another 5-10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160F.
Expert Tips:
- If skin isn't crispy when done, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two. Be sure to watch it as the chicken will burn quickly.Â
- The internal temperature of the chicken should be 160F degrees when done.Â
- The chicken will have the best flavor if you marinade for the full 8 hours, or up to overnight.
- You can substitute chicken breasts, but I recommend using bone in breasts.Â
Nutrition
Juli
What a great combination of flavors! It sounds amazing! I have learned my lesson too many times by walking away from my oven when I am broiling something!
Danielle
Right? I have burned so many things LOL!
Colleen
Chicken thighs are the best part of the chicken and this recipe looks just delicious! Can't wait to make it.
Danielle
Totally agree! Hope you get to try it Colleen!
Julia
I love cooking with chicken thighs so thanks for this recipe! It looks divine 🙂
Danielle
You're welcome Julia!
Natalie
I love that glaze! Looks so delicious and appetizing!
Danielle
Thanks!
Jill
Wow. The color and glaze on these chicken thighs looks amazing! Great recipe.
Danielle
Thanks so much Jill!
Donna
30 min. Per side sounds like I could dry the thighs out especially if using skinless/ boneless ones. Would 20 min per side be better?
Danielle
If you use boneless thighs you will need to cook them for less. You may want to start with 15 minutes per side for boneless and check for doneness. If they are still pink, you can add another 5-10 minutes if necessary.
Kavita Favelle
Chicken thighs are definitely my favourite part of the chicken and I love this simple delicious recipe bringing together apple cider vinegar, garlic, chillies and honey!
Danielle
Thanks Kavita!! Chicken thighs are the best!
Mirlene
Goodness in a plate. The thighs look juicy and so inviting. I have some chicken in the fridge now, I'll make this for dinner instead.
Danielle
Thanks Mirlene! They are so easy and delicious 🙂 Hope you love it!
Stine Mari
This honey chicken looks fabulous, I love anything that's glazed to perfection like this! It's a great tip to use the jarred garlic instead. As it's something I normally don't have in my kitchen, I probably would've substituted it with fresh garlic, but when you explained why I'd much rather get that!
Danielle
Thanks Stine! I'm a big fan of using fresh garlic - I don't feel like it's even the same thing as jarred. However, for this recipe the briny liquid is perfect on the chicken!
Jere Cassidy
This dish looks very tasty. I love baking chicken with honey, I like the glaze is creates and great flavor.
Danielle
Honey is such a great addition!
Kelly Anthony
We love chicken thighs at our house. I can't wait to try these crispy baked honey chili chicken thighs. They look they are the perfect combination of spicy and sweet.
Danielle
Definitely! Thanks Kelly 🙂
Jacque Hastert
I can't wait to make this! I love all the flavors in this marinade!
Danielle
Thanks jacque! Hope you love it if you try it 🙂
Chichi
I love spicy and I love honey chicken. This recipe is the bomb. Yum!
Danielle
Thanks so much Chichi!
Demeter
Sounds like such a favorful dish! Thanks for the reminder about using the broiler....I may or maynot have learned the lesson before as well.
Danielle
LOL thanks Demeter! I feel like I have a hard head when it comes to the broiler 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Oh these look so good - they've got my mouth watering! I love chicken thighs, always a good option for a family dinner.
Danielle
Thanks so much! Chicken thighs are def one of our favorites 🙂
Kathy
I love healthy chicken recipes. This sounds delicious!