Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs, bone-in chicken thighs
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 cloves, minced garlic
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
3, sliced green onions
1 tbsp sesame seeds

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a rack in the middle position to ensure even heat distribution. Tip: Preheating ensures the chicken cooks uniformly and develops a golden crust.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp cornstarch until smooth and well combined. Tip: Cornstarch thickens the sauce; avoid lumps by whisking thoroughly.
Step 3: Arrange 2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs skin-side up in a 9x13-inch baking dish, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow even browning. Tip: Skin-side up promotes crispy, flavorful skin.
Step 4: Pour the honey-garlic sauce evenly over the chicken, using a spoon to coat both sides and the bottom of the dish. Tip: Ensure every piece is submerged in sauce for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 5: Bake for 35–40 minutes, rotating the dish halfway through, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reads 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is tender with juices running clear. Tip: Avoid opening the oven too early to maintain heat.
Step 6: Switch oven to broil (high) and cook for 2–3 minutes, watching closely, until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Tip: Broil on a higher rack for more direct heat.
Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Top with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, pressing gently to adhere. Tip: Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes before adding for enhanced nuttiness.
Step 8: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice, allowing the sauce to drizzle over the rice for extra flavor. Tip: For a richer sauce, reserve 2 tbsp of the cooking juices and stir into the remaining sauce before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey Garlic 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 Honey Garlic 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 Honey Garlic 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 Garlic 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 Garlic Chicken Thighs?

Asian 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.