Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • cup honey
  • cup water
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions

  1. Season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, salt, and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the chicken thighs. Sear the chicken until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should read at least 165F (74C).
  3. Drain most of the excess grease from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons of fat behind.
  4. Arrange the chicken thighs in the pan with the skin-side down. Add the crushed garlic cloves between the chicken thighs and saut until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in the honey, water, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  6. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  7. Once the sauce has thickened, check the seasoning and adjust with additional salt or pepper, if desired.
  8. Serve the chicken thighs with the sauce spooned over the top. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Both bone-in and boneless chicken thighs will work perfectly in this recipe.
  • You can substitute chicken broth for the water if preferred for added flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 243
  • Total Fat: 11g (14% Daily Value)
  • Saturated Fat: 3g (16% Daily Value)
  • Cholesterol: 64mg (21% Daily Value)
  • Sodium: 232mg (10% Daily Value)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17g (6% Daily Value)
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g (1% Daily Value)
  • Total Sugars: 16g
  • Protein: 18g (37% Daily Value)
  • Vitamin C: 1mg (1% Daily Value)
  • Calcium: 17mg (1% Daily Value)
  • Iron: 1mg (7% Daily Value)
  • Potassium: 168mg (4% Daily Value)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutritional information is estimated based on available data.

Comments

Yoly

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I do believe this is it. Did not change a thing except for using 4 bone-in chicken thighs as opposed to 6. Served it over rice with green beans on the side. We loved it and will be making it again.

lutzflcat

09/01/2024 09:29:14 AM

I used bone-in, skin on thighs, sliced the garlic rather than crushing, and used chicken broth for a delicious, quick-and-easy Saturday evening meal. The chicken browned up beautifully, it was juicy, and the sauce very tasty. I’ll probably double the sauce next time to have enough to drizzle over the chile mango rice. Do keep your eyes on the sauce, as it thickens quickly. Checked meat temp with a thermometer, and the timing was spot on. Enjoyed this, and it will be made again.

kg4

10/05/2023 07:12:39 PM

Made this 2 nights in a a row it was so yummy. 2nd time 1 cubed the thighs and added a touch of a cornstarch slurry to really thicken it up. Cheaper than Chinese take-out!

NancyG

01/17/2022 01:32:13 PM

I only had 4 chicken thighs so that’s what I used. I mixed all the liquid and added one minced garlic clove to the liquid mixture, and skipped the step of placing the garlic cloves in between the chicken when cooking. I substituted coconut aminos for the soy sauce. Cooked on stove top in a cast iron skillet. It was very tasty but made a mess. I served over cooked millet that I sprinkled with chopped green onions and steamed asparagus.

jdobs

06/11/2022 03:45:16 AM

It was very good. I had to cook the thighs for about 45 minutes, though. I doubled the sauce ingredients and added about 2 tablespoons of Asian chili because I like spicy. Also added some cornstarch to thicken a bit more. Next time I make it I won't double the sauce; it was enough as written.

Janet

09/15/2024 02:24:48 AM

This was great! It took me about 8 minutes longer to cook the bone-in thighs and it’s important to lower the temperature to medium once you brown the meat .

nicolekrystyn

08/30/2024 04:31:59 PM

Wow what a tasty and easy recipe! I used boneless skinless chicken thighs, so I sprayed my pan with avocado oil to prevent sticking which did the trick. I just did a few shakes of garlic powder instead of the whole 2 tsps, and I only had a tablespoon of honey left so I put in a bit of maple syrup. It still turned out delicious and I absolutely will be making again!

BubblyIce8334

06/15/2023 02:34:48 AM

Yummy. I served it with lo mein noodles that I tossed in the remaining sauce after removing the chicken. Served the chicken and noodles over wilted spinach and kale. Will definitely make this again.

Suzanna Fleming

08/17/2021 05:13:11 PM

It's a little too much honey and garlic and not enough broth. I cut out the garlic powder and the six cloves were still very strong. I added chicken broth and still almost ran out. The honey I put in exactly as the recipe indicated and it was nearly overpowering. However, the chicken was delicious and this recipe is simple so I will be using this recipe again just with some tweaks. Also, baking the chicken takes longer, but it tastes better than searing it in the skillet.

Kel

08/20/2025 08:09:07 PM

Love making this . Super easy but I did it in the slow cooker 4hr on high or 6 hr on low. 4-6 thighs. Pouring ingredients over the chicken and let it cook. Was easy peasy!

Judymae

07/04/2025 03:44:58 AM

Great and easy recipe! I did follow the suggestion I read here, to add cornstarch (first mixed with a little cold water, of course) to the sauce at the end of preparing.

Donna

08/29/2025 12:17:09 AM

Easy to make and tasted great. I added some mushrooms and broccoli towards the end of cooking before popping in the oven. Yumm

rulasater

08/04/2025 12:52:46 AM

This was delicious! I doubled the sauce and added pad thai noodles! Next time will add veggies too! So easy, will make again!

Judymae

07/04/2025 03:44:58 AM

Great and easy recipe! I did follow the suggestion I read here, to add cornstarch (first mixed with a little cold water, of course) to the sauce at the end of preparing.

Kevin Flores

03/03/2025 04:03:16 PM

Super simple and really tasty.

Veena Mayhak

02/25/2025 12:03:21 AM

Sauce is awesome! I used apple cider vinegar. I want to try that sauce on shrimp.

clc408

02/24/2025 04:03:48 PM

I like how fast this was to make. I used hot honey and the flavor was outstanding. I'm wondering if it could somehow be done in the oven when I have more guests.

C Dawson

02/22/2025 03:55:53 AM

My family enjoyed the great flavors!

Jerry Smith

01/12/2025 06:39:33 PM

Quick, flavorful, and highly recommended.

Betty Young

10/27/2024 05:18:52 PM

Made it twice this week already.