Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs

Experience the delightful fusion of honey + herbs with our Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs recipe. In this no-fuss skillet dinner, the sweet and savory garlicky sauce elevates the flavors to new heights, creating a mouthwatering meal that's the ideal dish for weeknight dinners shared with loved ones, offering the perfect balance of flavors--- Whether you're serving it with fluffy rice, golden potatoes, or any other favorite sides, this meal is sure to impress. Make Ahead + Gluten-free option!

One-skillet dinners? I'm their biggest fan---As you guys already know, I'm a big fan of chicken recipes, especially easy ones! I'm all about that sweet + savory combo, and honey is my go-to! You can see my honey obsession in my latest recipes, like the Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts and the Crispy Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken.

But this time, I wanted to whip up something a bit healthier and super adaptable. This dish can be added to salad, pasta, basmati rice, brown rice, bowls + used for meal prepping, and more. It's perfect for all occasions!

The spiciness gives it just the right kick, and because it cooks up pretty fast, it's a real weeknight dinner savior. That sticky sauce is bursting with flavor, promising love at first bite that'll stay with you. It's loaded with protein, adding depth and nutrition to your meals. So, if you're aiming for simple yet incredibly tasty, this Honey Garlic Baked Chicken has your back! You can make it in the oven or on the stove.

Why You Will LOVE This Honey Chicken Recipe

• It's a flavor explosion-- Smoky, herby, sweet + downright addictive!
• Tender melt-in-your-mouth chicken
• A great addition to weeknight meals + laidback weekend dinners.
• Perfect for meal prepping!
• Super customizable + protein-packed!
• Did I mention, it’s just delicious? Both kids + adults approve!

How To Make Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs

When it comes to crafting the perfect Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs, there are three essential steps to follow:

• First, it all starts with prepping + seasoning the chicken. For an explosion of flavors, I highly recommend marinating the chicken for a good 3 hours. This step sets the stage for a mouthwatering dish. If you want to go all out then you can marinate for 1-2 days!
• The next step is to sear the chicken with olive oil + garlic.
• The heart of this recipe – is the sticky sweet garlic honey sauce (more on how to make that soon). This is where the magic happens, and the flavors truly come to life.
• Finally, drizzle this irresistible hot honey mixture over your marinated chicken + pop it into the oven. That's when the real transformation occurs, and your chicken bakes to sticky, delicious perfection.

Ingredients For The Best Baked Chicken

CHICKEN:

• Organic chicken, skin removed: (Thigh or breast pieces work great!)
• Sea salt + Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the chicken.
• Smoked paprika: Gives a smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor to the chicken.
• Garlic powder: Adds a savory and aromatic element.
• Dried parsley: For a hint of herbiness

Honey Garlic Sauce:

• Extra virgin olive oil: Used to coat the chicken for cooking and adds a rich, fruity flavor while preventing the chicken from sticking to the pan. (Sesame oil or avocado oil can be used for variety)
• Minced garlic: For a flavorful garlicky kick
• Minced ginger: For aromatic depth + spice
• Raw organic honey: For sweetness + stickiness. I find the quality of Nature Nate's honey to be amazing!
• Cornstarch + warm water: For thickening the sauce
• Tamari sauce: (Soy sauce works too) I order mine from Thrive Market!
• Broccoli or broccolini: Cut into florets
• Red pepper flakes: Introduces a hint of spiciness to the chicken, balancing the sweetness of the sauce.
• Sesame seeds: for a nutty crunch
• Green onions (optional): for a fresh garnish

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CHICKEN!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods, especially with this Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts recipe. Everything from my fave skillet pans, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

What Does Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs Taste Like?

Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs are a flavor explosion in your mouth! The combination of sweet honey and savory garlic creates a perfect balance of tastes. The chicken, seasoned with herbs and spices, is tender and juicy, while the sticky sauce caramelizes to perfection. It's a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and a whole lot of deliciousness.

Chicken Thighs or Breasts?

Chicken thighs--- They're awesome for this recipe because they're juicy and bursting with flavor. But hey, chicken breasts work their magic too. They get all delicious in that sauce. Go with what you've got on hand; both work great. Heck, you can even make wings with this recipe if you like! It's all good.

Can I Make Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs Less Spicy?

Absolutely-- if you're not a fan of spice or if you're preparing this chicken for little ones who prefer milder flavors, don't worry—I've got you covered. You can easily adjust or omit the spicy ingredients like red pepper flakes to make it perfect for everyone at the table.

Ingredient Substitutes + Meat Alternatives for Garlic Honey Sauce

Making traditional Honey Garlic Baked Chicken doesn't have to be left to only chicken. To get creative in the kitchen, you also use this delicious sweet honey sauce for other types of meat and the possibility of switching things up with another meat or alternative is also a good idea:

• Pork
• Beef
• Tofu
• Chickpeas
• Other beans (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
• Lamb
• Fish
• Other seafood (lobster, shrimp, etc.)

How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?

Ever wondered how long to bake chicken? To know when your chicken is fully cooked here are some tips -

• Time: Bake chicken at 400°F for around 30-35 minutes. Don't forget to flip halfway through!
• Color and Juices: Cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and the meat is opaque with no pinkness, it's likely cooked.
• Temperature: For certainty, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part of the breast.
• Resting: After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside for a tastier result.

Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Serving Ideas

The possibilities are endless with this honey chicken recipe, here are a few ideas-

• Potatoes: It goes beautifully with mashed potato or Easy Vegan Roasted Potato Salad or fries--hello Crispy Cajun Sweet Potato Fries
• Buddha bowls: Assemble nourishing Buddha bowls with a base of grains, greens, basmati or brown rice then layer on colorful vegetables, grains, and your chicken for a complete, balanced meal!
• Crusty bread: Serve with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the extra sauce. Try my Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread 
• Pasta dishes: Slice or shred the chicken and mix it into your favorite pasta dish. The sweet and spicy flavors can be a great addition to creamy pasta dishes like Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
• Roasted vegetables: Broccoli, carrots + Brussels sprouts are a hearty and flavorful choice.

Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs Q + A's

More Family-Friendly Chicken Recipes

If you thoroughly enjoyed this Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs recipe, don't forget to add these delicious creations to your "must-make" list.

• Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
• Creamy Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken + Spinach Tortellini 
• Sticky Orange Chicken Popcorn Chicken
• Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
• Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup
• Jerk Whole Roast Chicken
• Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tenders
• Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
• Authentic Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs

November 14, 2023 •

By Shanika

5 from 4 votes

Experience the delightful fusion of honey + herbs with our Skillet Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs. In this no-fuss skillet dinner, the sweet and savory garlicky sauce elevates the flavors to new heights, creating a mouthwatering meal that's the ideal dish for weeknight dinners shared with loved ones, offering the perfect balance of flavors.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

CHICKEN:

• 2 lbs. organic chicken, skin removed (Thigh or breast pieces work great!)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

HONEY GARLIC SAUCE:

• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil (You can also use sesame oil or avocado oil if desired)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 cup raw organic honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 Tbsps warm water
• ½ cup Tamari sauce (You can use soy sauce if desired)
• 1 bunch broccoli or broccolini, cut into florets
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (You can also use chili flakes)
• 1-2 Tbsps sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, chopped (This is optional)

OPTIONAL SIDES:

• 1 Basmati Rice
• 1 Brown Rice 
• 1 Healthy Weeknight Shrimp Fried Rice (You can omit the shrimp)

Instructions

PREP + SEASON CHICKEN:

• In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken thighs along with seasonings: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and parsley mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Set aside to marinate for 10-15 minutes. NOTE: It's always the best to marinate chicken in the fridge for 1-2 days prior for the best flavor!

SEAR THE CHICKEN:

• In a medium-sized deep skillet, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing them for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Add in the marinated chicken thighs, searing it for 3-4 minutes or until golden and slightly charred. Turn unto their opposite sides and sear again for another 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside unto a plate.

TO MAKE THE HONEY GARLIC SAUCE:

• In the same deep skillet, add in the honey, red pepper flakes, and Tamari sauce, stirring everything together until combined. Add in the cornstarch + water mixture (mixing them together until "milk-like" in texture), stirring until combined and the sauce begins to thicken.
• Add in the seared chicken thighs, spooning the sauce atop each chicken to coat them.

BAKE IN OVEN OR COOK OVER STOVETOP:

• OPTION 1: You can bake the chicken thighs in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit in the skillet (ensure that it is oven-safe) for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and charred. NOTE: You can spoon the sauce within the skillet atop the chicken thighs every 10 minutes or so to ensure that the sauce becomes "baked on" the chicken. In the last 10 minutes, add the broccoli florets and toss a bit in sauce to bake with chicken.
• OPTION 2: To cook the chicken over the stovetop, simply reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the chicken thighs to cook in the sauce, spooning sauce atop chicken every 10 minutes to ensure that they remain coated. In the last 10 minutes, add the broccoli florets to cook in the sauce with the chicken.
• Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
• Serve immediately with a side of basmati rice, brown rice, fried rice, or noodles.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven when ready to serve.
• VEGGIES: Quickly boil or steam your veggies for a few minutes until "al dente" if you don't want to have a little crunch adding them directly to the skillet. DO NOT COOK UNTIL SOFT! Once cooked, drain, and add to a large bowl of iced cold water immediately to stop the cooking process. Resume with recipe.
• STARCH: If you don't have arrowroot starch, you can simply substitute with all-purpose flour, starch or tapioca flour.
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this dish GF-friendly, simply ensure that the soy sauce (Tamari sauce is a great option) and side dish are gluten-free. The best GF-friendly sides include cauliflower rice, wild rice, GF noodles or pasta, or other roasted veggies.
• CHICKEN PIECES: I love using chicken thighs for this recipe, however, you can also do this with chicken tenderloins, breasts, wings, and drumsticks.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 2383mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 502IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg

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