Baked Citrus-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs baked with a bright citrus and honey glaze that caramelizes to a golden finish. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, honey, fresh orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/3 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 tbsp olive oil until combined.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Place thighs skin-side up in a baking dish.
  3. Step 3: Pour the citrus-honey glaze evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. Bake for 35-40 minutes, basting with the glaze halfway through, until skin is caramelized and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Citrus-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Citrus-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Citrus-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Citrus-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Citrus-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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