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Honey garlic baked chicken thighs

Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs

These honey garlic baked chicken thighs are an easy, flavorful dinner made with juicy chicken, sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and plenty of fresh garlic. The chicken is baked until tender and then briefly broiled to create a sticky, caramelized glaze.
Serve it with steamed rice, roasted potatoes, broccoli, green beans, or your favorite vegetables for a simple family-friendly meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs about 2½–3 pounds total
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional, for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions optional, for garnish

Method
 

Preheat the oven.
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
Prepare the chicken.
  1. Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the skin brown and crisp in the oven.
Make the honey garlic sauce.
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice or rice vinegar, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes if using.
Coat the chicken.
  1. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up in the prepared baking dish. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, making sure the thighs are well coated. Keep as much of the skin exposed as possible.
Bake.
  1. Place the chicken in the oven and bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs. Baste the chicken once or twice with the pan juices during cooking if desired.
Check the temperature.
  1. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone. The chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Caramelize the glaze.
  1. For a darker, stickier finish, switch the oven to broil for 1–3 minutes at the end of cooking. Watch the chicken closely because the honey can burn quickly.
Rest the chicken.
  1. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish and serve.
  1. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired. Spoon some of the honey garlic pan juices over the chicken and serve immediately.