Craving a delicious and hassle-free dinner? This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe is your new weeknight hero. It brings together sweet and savory flavors in a sticky, crispy, and juicy dish that tastes like a restaurant fakeaway. Get ready to impress your family with minimal effort, using simple pantry staples.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

This delightful sticky chicken thighs recipe offers a perfect blend of convenience and taste. Here’s why it will become a staple in your kitchen:

Quick & Easy: You can have this incredible meal on the table in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s perfect for busy evenings.
Irresistibly Flavorful: Enjoy a harmonious balance of sweet honey, savory soy, and aromatic garlic. The sauce is truly addictive.
Versatile: These flavorful honey garlic chicken thighs pair beautifully with many side dishes. Think rice, noodles, or a fresh salad.
Budget-Friendly: Using economical chicken thighs makes this a smart choice for feeding the whole family without breaking the bank.
Family Favorite: This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, appealing to even the pickiest eaters with its sweet and savory profile.

Ingredients

Making amazing Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs starts with these straightforward ingredients. You likely have most of them on hand already.

For the Chicken:
- 6 boneless chicken thighs (skin on or off)
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tbsp tamari (gluten-free) or all-purpose soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 2 tbsp water
To Serve (Optional):
- Steamed rice
- Steamed Chinese broccoli (gai lan), or any Asian greens
- Finely sliced spring onion (scallion)
- Chili oil

Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: You can certainly use boneless chicken breast or tenderloins instead of thighs. Slice them into strips and adjust cooking time to prevent drying.
Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free dish, use tamari. Always check labels for other ingredients if strict gluten-free is a concern.
Vinegar: If you do not have rice vinegar, white vinegar works perfectly as a substitute in the sauce.
Cornflour: Adjust the quantity of cornflour for your preferred sauce thickness. A little more creates a thicker sauce, a little less keeps it thinner.

Equipment

Gathering your equipment beforehand makes the cooking process smoother. You only need a few basic kitchen items for this easy chicken thigh recipe.

Large deep pan or skillet
Small mixing bowl
Whisk
Spatula
Paper towels

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your incredible Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. You will be amazed at how quickly this comes together.

Prepare Chicken: Start by patting the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps achieve that desirable crispy skin. Season both sides generously with sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper.
Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken thighs, placing them skin- or smooth-side down. Cook for 4–5 minutes, or until the skin is beautifully golden and crisp. If using skin-on chicken, press down slightly with your spatula for maximum crispness.
Flip & Cook Through: Flip the chicken thighs over and cook for a further 4–5 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through. For optimal food safety, the USDA recommends a specific internal temperature for cooked poultry. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken and set it aside on a plate. Spoon out any excess fat from the pan, if you prefer, but leave at least 2 tablespoons for extra flavor.
Make Sauce: While the chicken rests, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Add the tamari, honey, brown sugar, freshly minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornflour, and water. Whisk everything together thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
Thicken Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the whisked honey garlic sauce into the pan. Let it bubble gently and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes wonderfully glossy.
Coat Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the luscious sauce. Turn each piece to ensure it is thoroughly coated in the sticky, flavorful sauce.
Serve Immediately: Slice the chicken into strips, if desired. Serve your delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs immediately over steamed rice with steamed Chinese broccoli or other Asian greens on the side. Spoon over any extra sauce from the pan and garnish with finely sliced spring onion and a drizzle of chili oil, if you like.

Pro Tips for Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Achieve restaurant-quality results every time with these helpful tips for your honey garlic chicken.

Achieve Crispy Skin: For exceptionally crispy skin, ensure your chicken is patted very dry before searing. Press down firmly on the thighs with a spatula while they cook skin-side down.
Prevent Dryness: Do not overcrowd the pan; cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature, hindering proper searing and potentially steaming the chicken. Monitor cooking time closely to prevent overcooking.
Master Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thin, simmer it for another minute or two. If it becomes too thick, add a tiny splash of water (1-2 teaspoons) and stir until it reaches your desired consistency.
Maximize Flavor: Always use freshly minced garlic for the best, most vibrant flavor in your sticky chicken thighs. Pre-minced garlic often lacks the pungency of fresh.
Even Coating: Make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated in the sticky, glossy sauce. This ensures every bite is packed with incredible sweet and savory flavor.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile honey garlic chicken dish offers many ways to enjoy and customize it.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these delectable thighs over fluffy steamed jasmine rice, a bed of noodles, or healthy quinoa for a complete meal.
Pair them with vibrant steamed or sautéed Asian greens like bok choy, gai lan, or snap peas to add freshness and crunch.
Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, extra finely sliced spring onion, or a pinch of red chili flakes for added visual appeal and flavor.

Make Ahead

To save time on busy weeknights, prep all your vegetables earlier in the day. You can also whisk together the sauce ingredients and store them covered in the refrigerator.

Storage

Refrigerate any leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This ensures freshness and flavor.
For longer storage, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Gently reheat individual portions in the microwave in short bursts, covered, until hot through.
Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

Variations

Spicy: Add a dash of sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or finely diced fresh chili to the sauce mixture for a fiery kick.
Vegetable Boost: Toss in sliced bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli florets during the last few minutes of the sauce thickening process for added nutrients and color.
Citrus Zing: Finish the dish with a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice just before serving. This brightens the flavors and adds a zesty finish.

Nutrition

Enjoying a homemade meal like this helps you control ingredients and portions. As a nutrient-dense option, chicken is recognized for its valuable contribution to a balanced diet. A serving of these sticky chicken thighs offers a great source of protein.

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	478 calories
Sugar Content	15.7 g
Sodium Content	1261.2 mg
Fat Content	17.7 g
Saturated Fat Content	3.7 g
Trans Fat Content	0 g
Carbohydrate Content	31.7 g
Fiber Content	0.9 g
Protein Content	47 g
Cholesterol Content	210.1 mg

FAQ

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs? Yes, absolutely! Chicken breast works well. Slice it into 1-inch thick pieces to ensure even cooking and reduce the cooking time to prevent it from drying out.
Is this recipe gluten-free? This recipe can be gluten-free if you use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure your cornflour is certified gluten-free. Always double-check ingredient labels for hidden gluten.
My sauce is too thin/thick, what can I do? If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for an extra minute or two to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
Can I bake this recipe in the oven? Yes, you can! Sear the chicken first as instructed, then bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes. Finish by tossing the cooked chicken with the thickened sauce.
What if I don’t have rice vinegar? White vinegar is a perfectly suitable substitute for rice vinegar in this sticky chicken thighs recipe. It provides a similar tang to balance the sweetness.

Conclusion

This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create truly extraordinary flavors. It is quick to prepare, incredibly delicious, and versatile enough to suit any weeknight. Forget complicated cooking and embrace the ease and satisfaction of this family-favorite dish. Give it a try tonight and make it your new go-to. Share your creations with us on social media; we love seeing your culinary triumphs!