Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs bring pure comfort right to your dinner table, bringing together sweet and savory flavors that will have your family asking for seconds. Crispy chicken coated in a glossy, garlicky glaze makes weeknight meals super simple and totally delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (2 lb / 900 g)
Sauce:
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley or sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the 2 lb (900 g) chicken thighs completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until a deep golden color develops.
- Flip chicken and sear the opposite side for another 5-6 minutes. Remove thighs and transfer to a clean plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds, ensuring they do not brown.
- Whisk ⅓ cup honey, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, and ½ tsp red pepper flakes into the skillet. Simmer the mixture for 1-2 minutes.
- Return chicken thighs and their accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over each piece to coat thoroughly.
- Lower heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Flip chicken once or twice during cooking to ensure even glazing.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using an instant-read thermometer. Sauce should thicken and become glossy.
- Uncover skillet and let sauce bubble for 1-2 additional minutes to further reduce if desired.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley, sliced green onions, and optional sesame seeds over chicken. Serve immediately with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs with bone-in and skin-on for maximum flavor and juiciness, which helps prevent the meat from drying out during cooking.
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in delicious flavor and creates a beautiful exterior.
- Don’t rush the searing process – let the chicken develop a deep golden color without moving it around too much, which helps create a crispy, caramelized surface.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and for a lower-sugar version, reduce honey or replace with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 27-31 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg