Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Julia

This honey garlic chicken thighs recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are seared to golden perfection in a single skillet, then bathed in a luscious sweet and savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it cooks. The combination of honey's natural sweetness, pungent garlic, and a touch of tangy rice vinegar creates a balanced sauce that's utterly addictive.

What makes this dish truly special is the textural contrast between the crispy, golden skin and the tender, juicy meat beneath. The chicken thighs stay incredibly moist thanks to their higher fat content compared to chicken breasts, making them nearly impossible to overcook. As the honey garlic sauce reduces in the pan, it transforms into a sticky glaze that clings to every inch of the chicken, creating caramelized edges that are simply irresistible.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan wonder requires just 10 minutes of prep and delivers dinner in under 40 minutes. The gluten-free sauce uses naturally gluten-free ingredients like honey, tamari (or gluten-free soy sauce), and rice vinegar, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Serve these sticky-sweet thighs over rice, alongside roasted vegetables, or with a simple green salad for a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Nutrition

40 minutes
None servings
425 calories
Fat 22.00g
Carbs 21.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

8 piecesbone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 tbspolive oil
6 clovesgarlic cloves, minced
1/3 cuphoney
1/4 cupgluten-free soy sauce or tamari
2 tbsprice vinegar
1 tspfresh ginger, grated
1/4 tspred pepper flakes (optional)
2 stalksgreen onions, sliced (optional)
1 tspsesame seeds, toasted (optional)

Equipment

Whisk
paper towels
tongs
small mixing bowl
meat thermometer
large oven-safe skillet
spoon for basting
grater for ginger

16:8 Diet

This protein-rich chicken dish is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing substantial protein and healthy fats that promote satiety and sustained energy. The nutrient-dense ingredients help meet daily nutritional requirements within the compressed timeframe while keeping you satisfied between meals.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 approach with nutrient-dense whole foods comprising the majority of ingredients—chicken, garlic, ginger, and vegetables—while the honey provides natural sweetness as a modest indulgence. The balance of protein, healthy fats, and minimal processing makes this a satisfying meal that's primarily nutritious with room for flavor enjoyment.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating principles with whole, recognizable ingredients including fresh chicken thighs, real honey, fresh garlic and ginger, and olive oil. It avoids artificial additives, preservatives, and heavily processed ingredients, focusing instead on simple, natural components prepared in a straightforward manner.

Flexible Dieting

This recipe demonstrates flexible dieting principles by using whole, nutrient-dense ingredients that can easily fit into various macro targets. The combination of protein-rich chicken, natural sweetness from honey, and healthy fats allows for precise tracking while creating a satisfying, flavorful meal.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is completely gluten-free, using tamari or gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce, along with naturally gluten-free ingredients like honey, rice vinegar, and fresh chicken. The recipe specifically calls out its gluten-free status, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

High-Protein Diet

With 8 pieces of bone-in chicken thighs as the star ingredient, this recipe delivers substantial high-quality protein (approximately 25-30g per serving). The chicken thighs provide complete protein with essential amino acids, making this an excellent choice for those prioritizing protein intake for muscle maintenance or growth.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This balanced recipe provides clear portions and measurable ingredients that make macro tracking straightforward, with substantial protein from chicken thighs, moderate carbohydrates from honey, and healthy fats from the skin-on chicken and olive oil. The recipe's whole-food approach ensures nutrient density while allowing flexibility within personal macro targets.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense chicken dish is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein and healthy fats that promote satiety and sustained energy throughout fasting periods. The balanced macronutrients from chicken thighs and olive oil help practitioners feel satisfied while meeting nutritional needs during limited eating times.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe honors intuitive eating principles by creating a satisfying, flavorful meal without restriction or guilt-inducing language. The combination of crispy, juicy chicken with a balanced sweet-savory glaze provides both pleasure and nourishment, encouraging mindful enjoyment of food.

Macro Diet

Perfect for macro tracking with clearly portioned ingredients, this recipe delivers high-quality protein from chicken thighs, controlled carbohydrates from honey and rice vinegar, and healthy fats from the chicken skin and olive oil. The whole-food ingredients provide excellent satiety and nutritional value while fitting flexible macro goals.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its emphasis on textural contrast between crispy skin and tender meat, aromatic garlic and ginger, and the visual appeal of the caramelized glaze. The whole-food ingredients and simple preparation encourage sensory awareness and conscious appreciation of flavors, textures, and aromas.

Instructions

1

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

2 min
2
2 min

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.

3
8 min

Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet, being careful not to overcrowd. Sear without moving for 6-8 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.

4
5 min

Flip the chicken thighs over and cook for an additional 5 minutes on the other side until browned.

5

While the chicken cooks, whisk together the honey, gluten-free soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl.

2 min
6

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon.

1 min
7
2 min

Reduce heat to medium and pour the honey garlic sauce into the skillet. Let it bubble and simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8
10 min

Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, and spoon the sauce over them. Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, basting the chicken with sauce every 2-3 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce has thickened into a glaze.

9

Remove from heat and let the chicken rest in the skillet for 3 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

3 min
10

Transfer chicken thighs to serving plates, spoon the remaining glaze over top, and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions