Pan-Seared Aperol-Glazed Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs develop a glossy finish with a sweet-tart glaze that balances Aperol's signature bitterness with honey and balsamic. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, Aperol for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Aperol
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add chicken skin-side down; cook 6-7 minutes until deep golden brown, then flip and cook 4 minutes more.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tbsp Aperol, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp fresh thyme. Simmer 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Baste chicken with sauce, cook 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate; rest 5 minutes before serving.








