Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe (Oven Baked)

Honey garlic chicken thighs in a sticky, sweet-and-savory sauce that’s on the table in under an hour – is there anything better?  

We’re using boneless chicken thighs and we’re keeping the skins on, so you get that juicy meat with crispy, oven-baked (not fried) skin. 

When I first tested this recipe, I literally thought to myself, “This is one of the best things I’ve ever made.” First off, I love dark meat. Second, I love crispy skin.

But you know what it really was? The honey garlic sauce. Nothing exotic, just basic pantry staples, but holy wow. The flavor is chef’s kiss. You’ve got to try this one! 

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs (boneless, skin-on)
• All purpose flour
• Honey
• Fresh garlic
• Soy sauce
• Butter
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Bake the Chicken

Combine the the flour, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish and coat them in olive oil. Then, sprinkle the dry seasonings all over them.

Bake them in the oven while you start on the pan sauce. 

Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

While the chicken bakes, start on the honey garlic sauce. It’s very simple!

Saute the garlic in butter, honey and soy sauce in a large pan until the mixture gets foamy. 

Put the Chicken in the Pan Sauce

When the chicken thighs are done, place them into the pan with the honey garlic sauce. Let it all simmer together until the sauce gets nice and sticky.

Spoon the sauce over the chicken and it’s ready to go! 

Watch how to make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs!

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up the extra sauce:

• Steamed white or brown rice, noodles or even potatoes
• Roasted green beans
• Sautéed bok choy
• Give it a sprinkle of diced green onions for some bite

Variations

Make this recipe your own with these easy tweaks:

• Add some spice: Add chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a bit of heat. 
• Change the protein: Substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts to reduce some fat, or make a vegetarian version with extra firm tofu. Use the honey garlic sauce with shrimp or beef – it’s delicious with any kind of protein! 
• Double the sauce: A lot of people like it super saucy and make twice the sauce. This way you’ll have enough to create a sticky glaze on the chicken and also enough sauce to soak into rice or noodles. 

Storage Instructions

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in a warm oven or air fryer to revive the crispy texture of the skin. 

Can I use breasts instead of thighs in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts for thighs. You could also do skin-on breasts, which would give you the crispy skin with the white meat.

Keep in mind that breasts cook faster than dark meat and can also dry out more easily. Adjust your cooking time and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. The ideal temperature for chicken breasts is 165F degrees.

Can I make this recipe gluten free?

Absolutely! Simply replace the regular soy sauce with gluten free soy sauce or tamari. Also, use gluten free flour instead of regular flour.

This will give you gluten free honey garlic chicken! 

When you make this easy chicken recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. 

For more chicken dinner recipes, try these:

• Chicken Milanese with Crispy Arugula Salad
• Crispy Cornflake Chicken (Baked not Fried)
• Creamy Cajun Smothered Chicken