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Crispy Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

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These crispy baked honey garlic chicken thighs deliver perfectly crunchy skin and juicy, flavorful meat with a sweet and savory glaze that’s absolutely addictive. Made with simple pantry ingredients and minimal mess, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive enough for company.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 to 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5 to 3 pounds total)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (use 1/2 teaspoon if using table salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (apple cider vinegar works in a pinch)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted, for garnish)
  • 2 to 3 green onions (thinly sliced, for garnish)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs and rub in gently.
  4. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on the rack, leaving space between each piece.
  5. Bake for 35 minutes. Do not open the oven door during this time.
  6. While the chicken bakes, make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Whisk together and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Let bubble gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water to make a slurry. Whisk this into the simmering glaze. Cook for another minute until the glaze is glossy and thickened. Remove from heat.
  8. After 35 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to flip each chicken thigh skin-side down. Brush the skin side generously with the honey garlic glaze.
  9. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
  10. After 10 minutes, remove the sheet from the oven. Flip the chicken back to skin-side up. Brush another generous layer of glaze on top. Reserve any remaining glaze for serving.
  11. Bake for a final 5 to 10 minutes, until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy and the glaze is bubbling and glossy. Total bake time is about 50 to 55 minutes.
  12. Check the internal temperature: Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh, avoiding the bone. It should read at least 165°F (74°C); 170°F to 175°F is ideal for fall-apart texture.
  13. Let the chicken rest on the rack for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  14. Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

Notes

Pat the chicken skin thoroughly dry for maximum crispiness. Use a wire rack to allow air circulation. Apply glaze in two layers for a thick, sticky coating. Watch the glaze during the last 10 minutes as honey can burn quickly. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Save pan drippings for extra sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, baked chicken thighs, honey garlic glaze, easy chicken dinner, weeknight chicken recipe

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/crispy-baked-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs/