When I need a quick weeknight dinner that actually delivers on flavor, these sticky honey garlic chicken thighs are my go-to. Done in just 20 minutes, they're coated in a bold, garlicky-sweet glaze that uses just a few pantry staples. Whether you're cooking for yourself or the whole family, this easy chicken dinner is always a hit.
Jump to:
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
The sticky glaze is made with just a handful of pantry staples—honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of vinegar—but it delivers bold, savory-sweet flavor in every bite. The whole dish comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something fast but still delicious. It’s family-approved, super versatile, and easy to pair with rice, noodles, or veggies.
Key Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Juicy and quick-cooking, but bone-in can also work.
- Garlic cloves. I recommend fresh garlic over garlic powder for bold flavor in this recipe.
- Honey. Adds that signature sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize. I love using local honey in recipes like these spicy-sweet honey harissa chicken thighs for a bold twist on classic chicken.
- Soy sauce. Soy sauce adds umami flavor and salt to the chicken.
- Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar adds some acidity to the marinade and helps to tenderize the chicken.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- No honey? Try maple syrup for a richer, deeper sweetness.
- Gluten-free? Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Other proteins: This sauce works great with shrimp, salmon, or even these sticky honey-glazed meatballs that use a similar sweet-savory glaze.
- More kick? Add a pinch of chili flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce.
Instructions
Step 1: Begin by marinating the chicken in a large bowl or plastic bag. I recommend letting the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. Heat oil in a skillet and add chicken thighs. Cook for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes. Add the remaining marinade to the pan. Increase the heat slightly and boil the sauce for about 5 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens. Turn the chicken to coat in the sauce.
If the sauce thickens too quickly or gets too sticky, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, marinate the chicken and place them in a baking dish with the sauce. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes until cooked through.
Let it boil for a few extra minutes or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water) if needed.
Yes! Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead (or in the morning before work!), or fully cook and reheat with a splash of broth.
Sarah's Top Tips
- Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. It helps tenderize the chicken and deepen the flavor.
- The size of chicken thighs can vary greatly. If you have larger thighs, you may need to cook them a bit longer to reach 165 degrees F. You can also finish cooking them in the oven at 400 degrees F until cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to be sure!
- Since the marinade was in contact with raw chicken, make sure to boil it for at least 5 minutes after adding it to the pan. This ensures it’s safe to eat and also helps thicken it into that signature sticky glaze.
- If the sauce begins to thicken too quickly, reduce the heat slightly. You can also add a splash of water or broth to thin it out.
Serving Suggestions
These sticky honey chicken thighs can be served in many different ways. I recommend serving them with steamed Jasmine or brown rice and a veggie side like these crispy air fryer green beans, or serving them alongside a refreshing cold sesame noodle salad for a complete meal. Or make it heartier with these buttery, golden garlic butter potatoes.
Add sesame seeds, red pepper flakes and green onions for garnish.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store chicken thighs in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Freezer: The chicken thighs can be frozen for 2-3 months. I like to freeze the leftover chicken to use at a later date for salads on busy days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop for a few minutes until warm.
More Chicken Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below—I’d love to hear how it turned out! THANK YOU!
Recipe
Tap stars to rate!
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
See the full post for extra tips and photos
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- In a large plastic bag or bowl, combine the chicken thighs with the other ingredients, aside from oil. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.1-1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 5 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Heat one tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken thighs to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes. Do not throw away the marinade.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 6-7 minutes. Make some room in the pan and add the remaining marinade to the pan.
- Increase the heat slightly and boil the sauce for about 5 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens. Turn the chicken to coat in the sauce, turn off the heat and place on a plate, topped with the remaining sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
Save this Recipe!
Get the recipe link sent to your inbox so you can come back to it later!
No spam ever. Just cozy, delicious recipes.
Sarah's Tips
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F.
- Always boil any leftover marinade for at least 5 minutes before serving, since it touched raw chicken.
- Thin the sauce with a splash of water or broth if needed.
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3–5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
Olga says
This turned out perfectly –thank you!
S. Rubbelke says
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs were enjoyed by all of us. One friend was so surprised he was eating chicken thighs ( he didn’t think he liked chicken thighs) his wife copied the recipe. The chicken was tender and the flavors are just right. The rice was flavorful too. I will be making these recipes again.
David Holt says
Made this last night with brussel sprouts and smashed potatoes. It was easy and delicious.
Sarah Holt says
Happy you enjoyed it!!