Description
This Easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features juicy chicken thighs cooked to perfection in a flavorful honey garlic sauce. With a simple blend of garlic, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar, this dish is quick to prepare and ideal for a delicious weeknight dinner that pairs well with vegetables, rice, pasta, or salads.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 chicken thighs (bone in or out, with or without skin)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to season)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder (to season)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (to season)
Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water (or chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, or any white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside to allow the seasoning to penetrate.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the pan and sear on both sides until golden brown and partially cooked.
- Cook Bone-In Thighs: For bone-in chicken thighs, reduce the heat to medium-low after searing both sides. Cover the skillet with a lid and continue cooking, turning the chicken every 5 minutes until fully cooked through. Alternatively, use an oven method as noted.
- Drain Excess Oil: Drain most of the excess oil from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons of pan juices for added flavor.
- Prepare Sauce: Arrange the cooked chicken skin-side up in the pan if using skin-on thighs. Add the crushed garlic cloves between the chicken pieces and fry briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the honey, water (or chicken broth), vinegar, and soy sauce. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish the finished chicken with chopped parsley and serve hot over vegetables, rice, pasta, or alongside a fresh salad.
Notes
- For oven method: After searing, place chicken thighs in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake covered for about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor in the sauce.
- Adjust honey quantity for more or less sweetness according to preference.
- Ensure chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American