Sheet Pan Spicy Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs roasted on a sheet pan with a sticky glaze of honey, lime, and chili for a balanced sweet and spicy flavor. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs honey, fresh lime juice, smoked paprika 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.

★ 4.3 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat dry 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until combined.
  3. Step 3: Place chicken thighs on a rimmed baking sheet skin side up, then brush the honey-lime mixture evenly over each piece.
  4. Step 4: Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until skin is crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro over chicken before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Spicy Honey-Lime 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 Sheet Pan Spicy Honey-Lime 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 Sheet Pan Spicy Honey-Lime 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 Sheet Pan Spicy Honey-Lime 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 Sheet Pan Spicy Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs?

Latin 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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