These honey garlic boneless chicken thighs are one of those dinners that look impressive but are secretly very easy. The chicken gets deeply golden in a skillet, then finishes baking in a sticky honey garlic sauce that's sweet, savory, and clings to every bite. It's a simple oven-bake .👇👇
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor, simple ingredients - honey, garlic, butter, and soy sauce do all the heavy lifting.
- One pan dinner - sear, sauce, and bake all in the same skillet.
- Juicy every time - chicken thighs stay tender and forgiving.
- Family-friendly - sweet, savory, and not spicy unless you want it to be.
- Easy to scale - double the sauce and serve it over rice for leftovers that actually get eaten.
Note From Andi:
I've been making a big batch of chicken thighs like this almost every week for my lunches. I'll cook them once, then slice them up and add them to big salads, and they bring so much flavor that I don't even miss heavier dressings.
We also love these for dinner, usually served with rice and roasted carrots. It's one of those recipes that works just as well for meal prep as it does for a sit-down family dinner.
I almost always choose chicken thighs over chicken breasts for recipes like this. Thighs have a little more fat, which means they stay juicy and tender instead of drying out. They're also much more forgiving, so even if they cook a few minutes longer, they still turn out great. For busy weeknights and make-ahead meals, they're hard to beat.
Why Chicken Thighs Work Best for This Recipe
Chicken thighs are the best choice for honey garlic recipes like this because they naturally stay juicier than chicken breasts. Thigh meat has a little more fat, which means it can handle high heat, searing, and baking without drying out.
They're also more forgiving. If the chicken stays in the oven a few extra minutes while the sauce thickens, thighs still turn out tender and flavorful. That's especially helpful for busy weeknights or meal prep cooking, where perfect timing isn't always realistic.
If you've ever had dry baked chicken before, switching to boneless skinless chicken thighs makes a huge difference.
Recipe Ingredients 👇👇
Chicken:
- 5-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and black pepper - to taste
- 2 Tbsp salted butter - divided
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 6 garlic cloves - minced
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ tsp ground thyme
- ½ tsp ground ginger - use up to ¾ tsp if you love ginger flavor
Watch How To Make It 👇👇
Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇
STEP 1: Prep the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat 5-6 chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Dry chicken = better browning, so don't skip this step.
STEP 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and melt 1 Tbsp butter.
Add the chicken thighs in a single layer and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. The darker the sear, the more flavor you'll get later. Remove chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
NOTE: You can also use a regular frying pan for this step, and transfer to an oven safe dish in step 4.
STEP 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Let the skillet cool slightly so the garlic doesn't burn. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp butter to the pan. Stir in 6 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
Remove from heat and whisk in 3 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, ½ tsp ground thyme, and ½ tsp ground ginger. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
TIP: If the sauce feels too thick, whisk in 1 Tbsp warm water or chicken broth to loosen it.
STEP 4: Bake
Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over each piece. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until Sauce looks sticky and slightly caramelized and chicken reaches 165°F internally.
STEP 5: Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and spoon extra sauce from the pan over each piece before serving. That sauce is liquid gold.
Recipe Tips
- Sear for color - This is where most of the flavor comes from.
- Use a thermometer - Chicken is done at 165°F.
- Too thick? Whisk in 1 Tbsp warm water or broth.
- Too sweet? Add a splash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Want extra sauce? Double the honey, soy sauce, and garlic next time.
- Easy cleanup - Line the skillet with foil before baking if it's oven-safe.
How to Get the Best Caramelization
The key to the sticky, glossy finish in this recipe is layering flavor at the right stages.
First, searing the chicken creates browned bits on the surface that help the sauce cling later. Second, removing the pan from heat before adding the honey prevents burning and keeps the sauce smooth. Finally, baking uncovered allows moisture to evaporate so the sauce thickens naturally.
If you want an even deeper caramelized finish, spoon the sauce over the chicken once or twice during baking. This creates layers of flavor without needing extra ingredients. This adds depth without changing the recipe.
Flavor Variations & Easy Swaps
- Spicy: Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes or 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce.
- Ginger-Forward: Increase ginger to ¾ tsp and add 1 tsp sesame oil.
- Extra Saucy: Double the sauce ingredients and serve over rice or noodles.
- Lemon Honey: Add 1 tsp lemon zest for brightness.
- Air Fryer: Cook at 390°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Serving Ideas
- Serve over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice to soak up every bit of that sticky honey garlic sauce. The extra glaze is half the reason this recipe works so well.
- Add a simple side vegetable like sauteed green beans, broccoli, asparagus, or sautéed zucchini. Anything lightly seasoned balances the sweet and savory chicken.
- For a heartier meal, pair with mashed potatoes, garlic butter noodles, or oven-roasted potatoes. All of them catch the sauce beautifully.
- If you're doing salads for lunches, slice the chicken and serve it over mixed greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. The chicken adds enough flavor that you don't need much dressing.
- Leftovers reheat well and make an easy next-day meal. Warm and serve over rice, tuck into wraps, or add to grain bowls with leftover veggies for a fast lunch.
- If you like cozy, no-fuss dinners like this, try pairing it with buttered dinner rolls or simple garlic bread on nights when you want something extra comforting.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with extra sauce.
- Meal prep tip: Slice leftovers and serve over rice bowls for quick lunches.
Make It a Dinner Rhythm Meal Plan
If you're following my Dinner Rhythm Blueprint, this recipe works perfectly as an Anchor Meal - simple, flavorful, and easy to stretch into multiple meals without feeling repetitive.
- Option 1: Serve it fresh for dinner with rice or mashed potatoes and a roasted vegetable for an easy, satisfying family meal.
- Option 2: Slice the leftover chicken and serve it over salads or grain bowls for quick lunches. The honey garlic flavor means you barely need dressing.
- Option 3: Chop the chicken and toss it with leftover rice or noodles for a fast skillet dinner the next night. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to loosen everything up.
- Option 4: Freeze extra cooked chicken with sauce for a future Grace Night. Reheat gently and serve over rice when you need dinner handled with almost no effort.
These are the kind of repeatable, low-stress meals that make weeknights easier and help you get more than one dinner out of a single cook.
FAQs
Yes, but chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out more easily. If using breasts, reduce the baking time and check for doneness early. For best results and juicier meat, boneless chicken thighs are recommended.
Absolutely. This recipe is great for meal prep. Cook the chicken fully, let it cool, then store it in an airtight container with the sauce. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave with a spoonful of extra sauce to keep it moist.
It's balanced, not overly sweet. The honey adds richness, while the soy sauce and garlic keep the flavor savory. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey slightly or add an extra splash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Baked Honey Garlic Boneless Chicken Thighs
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Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- salt and black pepper - to taste
- 2 Tbsp salted butter - divided
- 6 garlic cloves - minced
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ tsp ground thyme
- ½ tsp ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat 6 boneless chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Heat 1 Tbsp salted butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until deeply golden. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat slightly and add the remaining 1 Tbsp butter to the skillet. Stir in 6 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Remove skillet from heat. Whisk in 3 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, ½ tsp ground thyme, and ½ tsp ground ginger until smooth.
- If the sauce feels too thick, whisk in 1 Tbsp warm water or chicken broth.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce is sticky and caramelized.
- Spoon extra sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Sear the chicken well for the best flavor and caramelization.
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts and are harder to overcook.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of warm water or broth.
- For extra sauce, double the honey, soy sauce, and garlic.
- Use a meat thermometer: chicken is done at 165°F.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-calculated and meant to be an approximation only.
Tami says
Yum! This chicken recipe is so good and easy as well. We loved it!
Shari says
This recipe is a keeper! Easy and delicious!
Kimberly says
I made this for dinner tonight it was delicious!!