Description

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are tender, flavorful, and perfectly caramelized. The combination of honey and garlic creates a sticky glaze that pairs beautifully with the juicy chicken, making this dish a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Thighs:

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless, if preferred)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (optional, for thickening)

Optional Garnish:

Sesame seeds
Chopped green onions

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season them on both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Sear the Chicken:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down (if using skin-on), and sear for 5-7 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Combine and Cook:

Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
If you prefer a thicker glaze, stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens.

Serve:

Transfer the chicken thighs to a serving plate, spoon the sticky sauce over them, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.

Notes

Boneless Chicken Option: If using boneless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time to 10-12 minutes.
Vegetarian Option: Use tofu or cauliflower in place of chicken for a plant-based alternative.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 24 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, sticky chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, sweet and savory chicken