Honey Barbecue Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

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

Juicy grilled chicken thighs brushed with a sticky honey barbecue glaze, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavors great for summer cookouts. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, honey, barbecue sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup honey, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to create the glaze.
  2. Step 2: Rub 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs evenly with 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over thighs and massage to coat thoroughly.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium heat (about 375°F). Place chicken thighs skin-side down and grill for 6-7 minutes until skin is crispy and golden, then flip.
  4. Step 4: During the last 8 minutes of grilling, brush chicken thighs generously with the honey barbecue glaze every 2 minutes, flipping as needed, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and glaze is sticky and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey Barbecue Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Honey Barbecue Glazed Grilled 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 honey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey Barbecue Glazed Grilled 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 Honey Barbecue Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Honey Barbecue Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

American grilling 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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