Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) 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

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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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.