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These honey garlic chicken thighs bring together crispy skin, juicy meat and a sticky-sweet garlic sauce that is filled with flavor. Make this dish on busy weeknights when you want something fast but flavorful.
Ingredients for honey garlic chicken
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs – Juicier and more flavorful than breasts, with crispy skin that soaks up the sauce.
- Garlic powder & paprika – Add depth and a little smoky kick to the dry rub.
- Italian seasoning – A balanced blend of herbs to round out the savory base.
- Fresh garlic – The star of the sauce, giving it a bold flavor.
- Red pepper flakes – Optional, but they add a subtle heat that cuts the sweetness.
- Soy sauce – Salty and umami-rich, it brings balance to the honey.
- Chicken broth – Lightens the sauce while adding savory flavor.
- Honey – Thick and sticky, it creates that signature glaze.
- Olive oil or avocado oil – Just enough to get the chicken crisped up before baking.
- Chopped green onions or chives – Add a fresh bite to finish the dish.
FAQs for this recipe
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes, just reduce the oven cooking time to about 20–25 minutes. Keep an eye on the internal temp. It should still hit 165°F.
Is this honey garlic chicken recipe spicy?
Not really! The red pepper flakes add a little warmth, but you can skip them if you want a milder flavor.
What should I serve honey garlic chicken with?
Jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, or a crisp green salad all pair beautifully with the rich honey garlic glaze.
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
These honey garlic chicken thighs are juicy, crispy-skinned and smothered in a sticky sweet garlic sauce with just a touch of heat.
Ingredients
- 4 bone in skin on chicken thighs, about 2lbs
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- 6 cloves garlic , minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ c chicken broth
- ⅓ cup honey
- Chopped green onions or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Pat dry chicken. Cut off any excess skin off the chicken. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and Italian seasoning.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, chicken broth and honey.
- Heat a small amount of olive oil in an oven safe pan just enough to coat the pan, chicken thighs render fat so you don't need much. Use medium heat, adjust as needed. Place the chicken thighs, skin side down and sear until crispy. It takes about 5 minutes. I like to sear on medium high for 2 minutes and medium for 3 minutes, but every stove varies so check to make sure you aren’t burning the chicken.
- Remove chicken from pan and discard excess oil. Don’t worry the chicken skin won’t be super crispy when you take it out, it will get more golden when cooked in the oven.
- In the same pan add sauce we whisked together earlier.
- Put chicken back in the pan skin side up.
- Place in the oven and let cook for 30 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 internally. I like to baste the chicken thighs with the sauce halfway through so the skin doesn’t burn.
- If you want a thicker sauce remove the chicken then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Then cook over medium heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve with sauce drizzled over & chopped green onions. Eat & enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 983mg | Potassium: 391mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 438IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
I have a picky toddler that doesn’t like a lot of food. She eats the same few things. I tried her with this recipe and she enjoyed it! I am so happy that she is now open to trying new things because she enjoyed this recipe. I’m excited to make some of your other recipes for her. Thanks!
So glad your daughter liked this!