I love chicken thighs because they’re naturally flavorful and take on the flavors from dry seasonings, marinades, and sauces like a champ! These honey garlic chicken thighs, in particular, feature crispy baked chicken thighs bathed in a luxurious honey garlic sauce. The meat soaks in the sweet and savory flavors, leaving you with a downright delicious meal!
Why this recipe works
Easy weeknight dinner. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned pro – this dish is easy to make and on the table in less than 40 minutes. It’s the best choice for weeknight dinners AND special occasions! The best sauce! Simply put, the honey garlic sauce is a flavor explosion in your mouth! Like honey garlic salmon, It’s made with a simple combination of garlic, honey, soy sauce, and a few other pantry staples. Always a hit. Whether cooking for your family, hosting friends, or just treating yourself to a home-cooked meal, this crowd-pleasing honey garlic chicken recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.
The best part? Despite its decadent and elegant appearance, this honey garlic chicken is easy to make and mostly hands-off. This gives you more time to focus on the side dishes while the oven covers the rest!
Ingredients needed
Chicken thighs. I recommend using bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs because they stay juicier and more flavorful during baking. The skin also adds an extra crispy crunch to every bite. The recipe works just as well with boneless chicken thighs, but you’ll need to reduce the cooking time. Flour. All-purpose flour is used to coat the chicken thighs and give them an extra crispy skin. Italian seasoning. For flavor. Salt and pepper. To taste.
Honey garlic sauce:
Garlic. Fresh cloves are best. If all you have is garlic powder, substitute half to 1 teaspoon instead. Olive oil. To bind the ingredients and create a thick, cohesive sauce. Honey. The sweet honey balances the savory flavors in the sauce. Also, the dry heat of the oven caramelizes its natural sugars, so you get a crispier coating around the chicken. Ketchup. To improve the flavor, consistency, and color of the sauce. Rice vinegar. This adds a mild acidic element and a hint of tangy, slightly sweet flavor. Soy sauce. For a satisfying umami flavor.
How to make honey garlic chicken thighs
Make the honey garlic sauce. Stir the garlic, oil, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a small bowl. If you or someone you’re serving has a gluten sensitivity, all you have to do is substitute the all-purpose flour for gluten-free all-purpose flour and the soy sauce for tamari. Season the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken thighs with flour, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place them in a baking dish, skin side up, and pour the honey garlic sauce over the top until each piece of chicken is fully coated. Bake. Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake until it’s cooked through and the skin is golden brown and crispy. Rest, garnish, and serve. Set the baked chicken thighs aside to rest for a few minutes. Finally, garnish them with freshly chopped parsley, and enjoy!
Recipe tips and tricks
Consider marinating. For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for at least 30 minutes or overnight before cooking. Pat the chicken dry before seasoning. This helps the seasonings stick and ensures that the skin gets nice and crispy. Line the baking dish. To prevent the chicken from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze, line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Broil for an extra crispy skin. If the skin isn’t as crispy as you like after baking, place the thighs under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Just watch them carefully as they can burn quickly! Rest after baking. Let the chicken thighs rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes after baking. This helps the meat become extra tender and juicy.
What to serve with this dish
Serve this delicious dish as the centerpiece paired with any of these sides:
Salads. The chicken’s umami flavor pairs well with Asian-inspired salads, like kani salad and Asian cucumber salad.
Vegetables. You can’t go wrong with a side of sauteed vegetables, roasted vegetables, or steamed greens.
Potatoes. Pair the chicken with sauteed potatoes, baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, or roasted potatoes.
Rice and noodles. These thighs are fantastic served over a bed of rice, pasta, or any kind of noodles.
Storage instructions
To store: Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to 4 days. To freeze: The chicken also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw the leftovers overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat: Reheat the chicken thighs in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF (200ºC) for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
More chicken thigh recipes
Huli Huli Chicken Chicken Adobo Pollo Asado Peri Peri Chicken Peruvian Chicken
Frequently asked questions
Did you end up with plenty of leftovers? These honey garlic chicken thighs are even better the next day! Try slicing the leftover thighs and using them in sandwiches, wraps, salads, or on a pizza.
