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These sweet and sticky honey garlic chicken thighs are marinated in a tangy, sweet and spicy marinade, brushed with sweet honey and baked to caramelized perfection! Ultra easy to make and perfect for weeknights meals.
The sweetness of the honey with the garlic, soy sauce, chili and vinegar adds such an amazing dimension to this chicken recipe. The chicken is cooked in this tangy, sweet and spicy sauce in a hot oven to get a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
We use thighs to ensure the chicken comes out perfect crisp and caramelized on the outside, while staying moist and tender on the inside. Thighs also have more flavor than chicken breasts, which tend to be less flavorful and dry out much easier.
And if you like these flavors, you also might like this honey garlic tofu.
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Why this honey garlic chicken recipe works
- The skin gets nice and crispy, and perfectly caramelized once coated with the sticky honey garlic sauce.
- The marinade allows the chicken pieces to take on a great, tangy flavor, while also helping to keep the chicken juicy while cooking.
- It's very easy recipe to make, with only a handful of ingredients and very minimal hands-on cooking time, like this pan roasted grapefruit chicken.
- It works perfect as a healthier weeknight meal, plus it is versatile and can be served with many options.
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Reader Review
"I love spicy and I love honey chicken. This recipe is the bomb. Yum!"
- Chichi
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ingredients to make honey garlic chicken thighs
The full list of ingredients and amounts for this honey garlic chicken recipe is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Bone-in chicken thighs with skin are used in this recipe. I believe they provide the best results as the chicken thighs stays tender and juicy while cooking - however, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a healthier version. You can use chicken breasts also, but I recommend using bone in breasts.
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. Substitute garlic cloves or garlic powder if needed.
The chili garlic sauce adds just a touch of spice to the juicy chicken thighs, while the apple cider vinegar adds a nice tangy flavor to the honey garlic sauce.
You can also substitute the regular honey for this tangy, spicy hot honey.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the chicken in a cast iron skillet, skin side up. Season the chicken with the salt and pepper.
Step 4: Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
Step 5: Remove, baste with honey, and cook another 5-10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F. 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 160°F and juices should run clear. I use a thermometer like this Thermapen to check the temperature of the chicken.
Step 6: Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes (it will increase to a serving temperature of 165°F while resting). Pour any remaining pan sauce over the chicken and serve.
Expert tips for the best honey garlic chicken thighs
- 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 160°F when done resting.
- 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.
- For more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- The recipe can also be made with chicken wings or boneless chicken thighs. Reduce the cook time to 15-20 minutes, or until chicken reaches 160°F.
- Reserve the juices after cooking to use as a sauce for the chicken. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if needed.
Serving Options
- Start with a fresh salad like this Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Serve it with a fresh roasted vegetable like these Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts 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.
- Also serve it with this coconut jasmine rice or Instant Pot jasmine rice.
- Sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and/or crushed peanuts.
Frequently asked questions
Honey-garlic chicken is typically made with chicken thighs cooked in a honey garlic sauce until browned and caramelized on the outside. The recipe uses honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, chili and vinegar and has a spicy, sweet, savory flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-10 minutes, until heated through.
Leftovers can also be frozen in a sealed container/freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat per the above instructions.
More favorite chicken recipes
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Recipe
Oven Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs bone in, skin on
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon minced 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.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place the chicken in a cast iron skillet, skin side up. Sprinkle both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
- Remove, baste with honey, and cook another 5-10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes (it will increase to a serving temperature of 165°F while resting). Serve.
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 160°F when done resting.
- 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.
- For more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- The recipe can also be made with chicken wings or boneless chicken thighs. Reduce the cook time to 15-20 minutes, or until chicken reaches 160°F.
- Reserve the juices after cooking to use as a sauce for the chicken. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if needed.
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!