Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

Yes! Boneless thighs cook faster. Start checking around 18–22 minutes at 400°F, and always use the 165°F internal temp rule.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can marinate the chicken overnight , which makes dinner prep super easy. The mashed potatoes are best fresh, but you can make them ahead and reheat gently with a splash of milk.

How do I store leftovers?

Store chicken and mashed potatoes in airtight containers in the fridge for 3–4 days . Reheat chicken in the oven or air fryer if you want the skin to crisp back up. Microwave works too—just accept that it’ll be softer (still tasty!).

Chipotle Honey Chicken Thighs With Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes

Q: Can I freeze Chipotle Honey Chicken Thighs With Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes?

You can freeze the chicken (it freezes well). Mashed potatoes can be frozen, but the texture may change a bit. If you do freeze them, reheat slowly and stir in a little milk or butter to bring them back to life.

Description

Chipotle Honey Chicken Thighs With Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes is the ultimate sweet-and-smoky comfort meal. Juicy, caramelized chicken thighs are glazed in sticky chipotle honey sauce and served over ultra-creamy smoked gouda mashed potatoes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, cozy family meals, or when you want big flavor without complicated steps.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons chipotle chili powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes:

2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup milk
4 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, mix honey, chipotle chili powder, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken thighs and coat well. Let marinate at least 15 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook 15–20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain well.
Return potatoes to the pot. Add milk, butter, and smoked gouda. Mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
Arrange marinated chicken thighs skin-side up in a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
Bake 25–30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is crispy.
Serve chicken over mashed potatoes and drizzle with pan juices before serving.

Notes

For crispier skin, pat chicken dry before marinating.

Reduce chipotle chili powder to 1 tablespoon for milder heat.

Warm the milk before adding to potatoes for extra creamy texture.

Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with mashed potatoes
Calories: 620 kcal
Sugar: 14 g
Sodium: 720 mg
Fat: 36 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 34 g
Cholesterol: 165 mg