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Easy • Chicken

Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Thighs

These juicy chicken thighs are coated in a sweet and smoky glaze, perfect for a crowd-pleasing dinner.

Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Thighs

Get ready for a flavor explosion! These Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Thighs are an absolute weeknight winner. The glaze is the star here – a perfect balance of sweet honey and smoky, subtly spicy chipotle. They bake up beautifully in the oven, leaving you with tender, juicy chicken that’s incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5-3 lbs)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers (or 1-2 minced chipotle peppers for more heat)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

  2. Step 2

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.

  3. Step 3

    Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps get a crispier skin! Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

  4. Step 4

    Pour the honey chipotle glaze generously over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. You can use a brush or your hands (wear gloves!).

  5. Step 5

    Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170-175°F (77-79°C) and the skin is golden and slightly charred. For extra crispiness, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  6. Step 6

    Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with any pan juices.

Tips

  • Serve these alongside rice and a simple green salad for a complete meal.
  • For a spicier kick, add a finely minced chipotle pepper (from the can) to the glaze.
  • If you prefer boneless, skinless thighs, reduce baking time by 5-10 minutes and ensure internal temp reaches 165°F.

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