Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

$- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs - 1/4 cup honey - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust based on spice preference) - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons olive oil For this dish, I love using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The skin crisps up nicely and adds a lot of flavor. The marinade is what makes this dish shine! Honey gives a sweet touch, while soy sauce adds depth. Garlic and sriracha bring that spicy kick. You can adjust the sriracha to make it milder or hotter, based on your taste. - Fresh cilantro - Sesame seeds Garnishing with fresh cilantro adds brightness. It also gives a pop of color. Sesame seeds add a nice crunch and a nutty taste. Both are optional but really enhance the dish. Enjoy your meal! {{ingredient_image_1}} - In a mixing bowl, mix together the marinade. Combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, sriracha, rice vinegar, grated ginger, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until smooth. - Take your chicken thighs and place them in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Make sure every piece is coated well. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. For even better taste, marinate overnight. - First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is key for even cooking. - Next, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, but keep the marinade for later. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes. You want the skin to turn golden and crispy. - After searing, flip the chicken thighs over. Pour the reserved marinade over them. This adds extra flavor while baking. - Now, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). - For a nice glaze, switch your oven to broil for an additional 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning. This step gives the chicken a beautiful caramelized finish. For the best flavor, marinate the chicken thighs for at least 30 minutes. If you can, let them sit overnight. This gives the flavors time to soak in. Use a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish to marinate. The bag helps cover every part of the chicken. If using a dish, make sure to flip the chicken halfway. To ensure crispy skin, start by searing the chicken skin-side down. Use a hot skillet with olive oil. Sear for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. This step creates a nice crust. Always check the chicken's internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (75°C). A meat thermometer is the best tool for this. Pair these chicken thighs with simple sides. Rice or roasted vegetables work well. You can also serve them with a fresh salad for balance. For plating, place the chicken on a large platter. Drizzle some glaze over the top and garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds. This makes the dish look vibrant and inviting. Pro Tips Marinating Time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken thighs for at least 1 hour, but overnight is even better. Skin Crispiness: Ensure the chicken skin is dry before searing to achieve maximum crispiness. Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker glaze, simmer the reserved marinade in a saucepan until it reduces before pouring it over the chicken. Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or a fresh salad to balance the spicy-sweet flavors. {{image_2}} You can switch up the spice levels by adding more or less sriracha. If you like heat, use more. If you prefer mild, leave it out. This lets you control how spicy the dish gets. It’s fun to experiment! You can also try different sweeteners in the marinade. Maple syrup or agave can work well instead of honey. Each sweetener gives a unique taste. This allows you to play with flavors. Grilling is a great way to cook these chicken thighs. Just marinate as usual. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Cook the thighs for about 6-8 minutes on each side. Make sure they get nice grill marks and reach 165°F inside. If you like a slow cooker, it’s easy to use that too. Just place the marinated chicken in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This makes the chicken super tender and flavorful. These spicy honey garlic chicken thighs go well with many sides. Try serving them with rice or quinoa. They soak up the sauce well and make a filling meal. You can add seasonal vegetables, too. Roasted broccoli or sautéed green beans are great choices. They add color and crunch to your plate. Plus, they balance the dish with freshness. To store your spicy honey garlic chicken thighs in the fridge, place them in an airtight container. Make sure the container seals well to keep moisture in. You can also wrap the chicken tightly in plastic wrap or foil. The chicken can last in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best taste, enjoy it within this time. If you want to save the chicken for later, freezing is a great option. First, let the chicken cool completely. Next, wrap each thigh in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped chicken in a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing. This helps prevent freezer burn. The chicken can stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer. To thaw, move the chicken from the freezer to the fridge. Let it sit overnight. If you need it faster, you can thaw it in cold water. Just make sure to change the water every 30 minutes. When you're ready to eat, reheat the chicken carefully. The best way to do this is in the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. This helps keep the chicken moist. Heat for about 20 minutes or until it's warm all the way through. You can also use a microwave for quicker reheating. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat for 1-2 minutes, checking it often. This keeps the chicken juicy and fresh. You can use maple syrup or agave nectar as a substitute for honey. Both options work well and still give sweetness. However, they might change the flavor slightly. Maple syrup has a richer taste, while agave is milder. Keep this in mind when you swap them in. To check if your chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Besides checking the temperature, look for clear juices when you cut into the chicken. If the juices run clear, the chicken is done. Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs. They cook faster than bone-in thighs. Reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes. Make sure to check the internal temperature to ensure they reach 165°F (75°C). This way, you get juicy and tender chicken every time. In this post, we explored a simple yet tasty chicken thigh recipe. We covered ingredients, marination, cooking, and serving tips. You learned how to adjust flavors and find great side dishes. Don’t forget to store your leftovers correctly and use them wisely. This recipe offers many options to fit your taste. Enjoy experimenting, and share your results! Happy cooking!$

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

A flavorful dish featuring chicken thighs marinated in a spicy honey garlic sauce, baked to perfection.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
0.25 cup honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.5 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch fresh cilantro for garnish
1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, sriracha, rice vinegar, grated ginger, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until well blended.
Place the chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for more flavor).
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet for 5-7 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy.
Flip the chicken thighs and pour the reserved marinade over the top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
For a caramelized finish, switch the oven to broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.

Keyword baked, chicken, honey garlic, spicy