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Best Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Guest Favorite)

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These honey garlic chicken thighs feature crispy skin, tender meat, and a sticky-sweet-savory glaze. Perfect for impressing guests without stress, or turning a simple Tuesday dinner into something memorable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5 lbs total)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Chopped green onions for garnish
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rack should be in the middle position.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha (if using), and sesame oil. Set aside. Do not add the butter yet.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer. Sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy.
  5. Flip the chicken using tongs and cook for 2 minutes on the other side.
  6. Pour the sauce around the chicken (not directly on the skin). Add the butter to the pan, letting it melt into the sauce. Carefully tilt the pan to swirl everything together.
  7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, pull the pan out and baste the chicken with the pan sauce.
  8. Check for doneness: the chicken should register 165°F at the thickest part (aim for 175°F for extra tenderness). If not done, return to the oven for 3-5 more minutes.
  9. Let the chicken rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter, spoon extra sauce over the top, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Don’t rush the sear; let the chicken skin get deeply golden. Watch the honey to prevent burning. Baste halfway through baking. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Double the sauce if hosting a crowd.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, chicken thighs, easy dinner, party recipe, sticky chicken, garlic chicken, honey chicken

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/best-easy-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-guest-favorite/