Honey garlic chicken thighs served in a white baking dish with additional honey on the side.

Thereโ€™s nothing better on busy weeknights than knowing you have a simple, yet tasty, meal you can toss together in under an hour. Honey garlic chicken thighs are easy to prepare with only a handful of ingredients and versatile enough to serve with your familyโ€™s favorite veggies and sides. With itโ€™s no-fuss preparation and sweet and savory sauce, this chicken dish might soon become your new go-to and your familyโ€™s new favorite!

A honey dipper drizzles honey onto a baked sticky chicken thigh.

What is the best way to cook honey garlic chicken thighs?

Thereโ€™s no one best way to cook chicken thighs. In the summer you may want to try some smoky grilled chicken thighs, but in the cooler months itโ€™s nice to have a recipe you can pop in the oven. Honey garlic chicken thighs are a delicious weeknight option when youโ€™re looking to get dinner on the table quickly.

What is this honey garlic sauce made of?

Sometimes the simplest recipes produce the best tasting dishes, and thatโ€™s what happens with this chicken thighs recipe. Before making the honey garlic sauce, make sure you have these pantry staples on hand:

  • Honey
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Cornstarch
  • Garlic powder
  • Low-sodium soy sauce

Close view of finished chicken thighs in a white casserole dish, topped with minced fresh herbs.

Should I use bone-in or boneless thighs?

The cooking time for this recipe is based on bone-in chicken thighs. Bone-in thighs are less expensive, they cook longer, and in my opinion, the bone adds some nice flavor to the dish.

If you prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs, youโ€™ll still have a delicious meal, but youโ€™ll have to change the cooking time slightly. Instead of the honey garlic chicken thighs cooking for 25-30 minutes, itโ€™ll be closer to 20-25 minutes of cooking time.

How long does it take to cook honey garlic chicken thighs?

Once your chicken thighs are in the oven, itโ€™ll take 25-30 minutes for them to fully cook. You want them to reach an internal temperature of 165 ยฐF. Altogether, the recipe should take 45 minutes from prep to table.

Top view of baked bone-in skin-on chicken thighs in a sticky sauce.

Iโ€™m short on timeโ€”is there a faster way to cook these?

If youโ€™re short on time, you can skip the step where you sear the chicken thighs in butter on the stovetop. This step adds a crispy coating to the chicken that I loveโ€”but if you need to shave a few minutes off this recipe, you can skip this step and still have a sweet and savory meal.

What goes well with honey garlic chicken thighs?

The taste of this savory chicken and sweet honey garlic sauce pairs perfectly with almost any side dish you can think of. That’s what makes it one of my go-to chicken recipes! Some of my favorite sides to serve with honey garlic chicken thighs include:

Tight view of skin on chicken thighs in a baking dish with a flavorful sauce.

What should I do with the leftovers?

When youโ€™re done with your chicken thighs, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. This honey garlic chicken tastes great shredded and used in wraps, sandwiches, and on top of salads.

 
Honey garlic chicken thighs served in a white baking dish with additional honey on the side.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs is a flavorful and succulent chicken dish that can be on your table in 45 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 8 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Add 4 chicken thighs and sear on both sides for 4-5 minutes on each side.
  3. Move the chicken to a greased 9"x13" baking dish, skin side up. Repeat with remaining butter and chicken thighs.
  4. While the chicken is cooking, mix together the honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
  5. Whisk together cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, then add to the honey mixture and set aside.
  6. When all the chicken has been seared and moved to the baking dish, pour the sauce over the chicken.
  7. Bake the chicken uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cooked through to 165°F. Serve hot!

Notes

  • Feel free to swap in boneless chicken thighs. The bake time will be closer to 20-25 minutes.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, and can be shredded and used on salads, wraps, and sandwiches!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 717Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 348mgSodium: 1029mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 0gSugar: 23gProtein: 63g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

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