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Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.8 from 140 reviews

This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe creates ultra-tender chicken in a flavor-packed glaze of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and loads of garlic—all finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Quick to make in a single skillet, it’s a weeknight dinner favorite the whole family will crave.

  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 8 (5 ounce) boneless chicken thighs
  • Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

For Sautéing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed
  • ½ medium onion, finely chopped
  • 7 cloves garlic, chopped (or to taste)

Sauce

  • 1 cup honey
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 1 pinch onion powder, or to taste
  • 1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste

For Serving

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Season the boneless chicken thighs on both sides with salt and ground black pepper according to your taste. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and brown them on one side for about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing a golden crust to form.
  3. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Flip the chicken thighs over. Immediately add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is almost cooked through and the onion and garlic are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken thighs to a plate.
  4. Make the Sauce: Add honey, soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder to the skillet. Stir well and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to incorporate the sautéed garlic and onion into the sauce.
  5. Simmer the Chicken: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for about 10 more minutes, turning the thighs once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
  6. Garnish & Serve: Arrange the cooked chicken thighs onto a serving plate. Drizzle with the pan sauce and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro just before serving for a fresh finish.

Notes

  • You can use skin-on or skinless chicken thighs; both work well in this recipe.
  • If you love garlic, try using an entire medium head of garlic instead of just 7 cloves for extra flavor.
  • Fresh parsley can be substituted for cilantro if preferred.
  • Boneless chicken thighs cook faster, but bone-in thighs can be used with a slightly longer cooking time.
  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
  • Calories: 368
  • Sugar: 36g
  • Sodium: 986mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 88mg