Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
A sticky, sweet-and-salty dish featuring chicken thighs caramelized in a honey-soy-garlic glaze, perfect for a quick and comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on recommended) About 1.5–2 pounds total.
- 1/4 cup honey Substitute: maple syrup or agave for a different sweetness.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce Use low-sodium if preferred; tamari for gluten-free.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Or 1–1½ teaspoons garlic paste.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil Or neutral oil like canola.
- to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper For seasoning.
- optional sliced green onions For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic until combined — this is your glaze.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and releases easily.
- Flip and brown the other side for 2–3 minutes.
- Pour the honey–soy glaze evenly over the browned chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer, spooning glaze over the chicken occasionally, for 10–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has thickened into a sticky coating.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 3–4 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
If using boneless thighs, reduce final simmer time slightly as they cook faster. For a lower-sugar version, cut the honey to 3 tablespoons and add a splash of rice vinegar to keep brightness.