Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

What’s in this Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe?

I love to liven up my chicken dinners in the easiest possible way! We eat a lot of chicken at our house. It’s cost effective, preferred by my kids, and the possibilities are endless. The honey garlic sauce adds such a wonderful flavor, and with moist and juicy chicken thighs, its just perfect! Trust me, you’ll be making this recipe more than once!

Chicken: This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Bone-in thighs will require a slightly longer cooking time and breasts will take less time to cook through. Flour: All-purpose flour keeps the chicken moist and thickens the sauce as it cooks. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. Paprika: This ground spice adds an earthy sweetness to the sauce and helps brighten up the color of the dish too. Honey: For a sweet and sticky sauce. You can also use agave nectar or maple syrup, but the flavor will turn out slightly different. Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor. For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos. Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic cloves for the best flavor. In a pinch, you can use a teaspoon of garlic powder.

Variations

This honey garlic chicken is perfectly balanced as is, but you can make minor adjustments to better suit your personal tastes. Try using smoked paprika for a slightly smokier flavor. Playing off of the smokiness, you can also mix the honey-garlic sauce with some barbecue sauce to create a spicy, smokey, and slightly acidic dish. For a citrusy twist, try adding a few tablespoons of orange marmalade to the sauce. Yum! Sometimes I prefer to make this with chicken breast, it’s easier to make my kids eat any recipe that way, and when I do it works great. I just always check the internal temp a few times while baking. I take out at 160F and make sure the final temp reaches 165F.

How to Store and Reheat

These chicken thighs are best served as soon as they are cooked so that the meat is tender and juicy. If you do have leftovers, they will keep well, covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F – add a couple of tablespoons of water to the baking dish and cover with foil so that they don’t dry out.

How to Freeze

Freeze honey garlic chicken thighs in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. I always let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

The beauty of this easy recipe is that there’s no muss or fuss, just wholesome ingredients that create a delightful dish. I love to serve with basmati rice, a Waldorf salad, or mashed potatoes for a perfect family feast.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

The honey garlic sauce itself is not spicy at all. The chili flakes do make it quite spicy. Before baking I like to add a few chili flakes for a bit of a kick, but you can easily omit these if you are sensitive to heat or if your kids don’t like spicy foods. I also like to season a few thighs spicier than the others.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Step by Step

Coat the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a medium-sized bowl, mix ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of ground paprika. Coat 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the flour mixture and place in a greased or foil-lined baking dish. Season the Chicken: Sprinkle each thigh with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix ¼ cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce, and 4 minced cloves of garlic. Sauce the Chicken: Pour evenly over the chicken. You may need to flip them over once or twice to make sure they’re coated completely in the sauce. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to taste (if you don’t like spicy, you can totally leave this off). Bake the Chicken: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for another 15 minutes. Serve with rice or vegetables, with extra sauce on the side if desired.