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Easy • Chicken

Oven-Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Crispy, sweet, and savory chicken thighs baked to perfection in a delicious honey garlic glaze.

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

Get ready for a flavor explosion with these Oven-Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs! This recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with an irresistible sticky-sweet and garlicky caramelized skin, all with minimal fuss. It's a family-friendly winner that comes together easily for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5-3 lbs total)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Honey Garlic Glaze

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tsp sriracha or red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water)

Garnish (optional)

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions

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

    Pat chicken thighs very dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Place skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet.

  3. Step 3

    Bake for 20 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    While chicken bakes, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), and sriracha (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.

  5. Step 5

    After 20 minutes of baking, remove the chicken from the oven. Brush generously with the honey garlic glaze. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the glaze is sticky and caramelized.

  6. Step 6

    If desired, broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get extra crisp skin, watching carefully to prevent burning. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Tips

  • Patting the chicken dry is key to crispy skin!
  • Don't apply the glaze too early, as it contains sugar and can burn. Brushing it on during the last part of cooking creates that perfect sticky finish.
  • Serve with steamed rice and a simple green vegetable like green beans or asparagus to soak up all that delicious sauce.

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