Sweet Soy and Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

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

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. This japanese-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic cloves minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.0 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 6 boneless skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1/2 tsp ground black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side.
  4. Step 4: In a bowl, mix 5 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
  5. Step 5: Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken in the skillet, spooning to coat all pieces.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and glaze thickens.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven, spoon glaze over chicken once more, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Soy and Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Sweet Soy and 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Soy and 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 Sweet Soy and 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 Sweet Soy and Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs?

Japanese 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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