This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe delivers an incredibly savory and sweet dinner that’s ready in under an hour with just one pan. The simple soy sauce and honey marinade caramelizes beautifully around tender, seared chicken, creating a glossy, restaurant-worthy glaze. It’s the perfect easy chicken dinner recipe for a busy weeknight that feels both comforting and special.

I first fell for the magic of a honey garlic sauce while traveling, and it’s a combination I return to again and again for its effortless elegance. This particular version, with its deep sear and aromatic ginger, has become my go-to for casual family dinners and even when I’m entertaining friends. I love serving it alongside my favorite garlic mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of sauce, or with a simple side of honey roasted carrots to echo the sweet notes. It’s a meal that always feels thoughtfully prepared, yet is wonderfully simple to pull together.

What Makes This Chicken Dinner So Good

Incredible Flavor: The soy sauce honey marinade creates a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savory.
One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
Family-Friendly Favorite: The sweet, sticky glaze is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Meal Prep Hero: The sauce and chicken can be prepped ahead for a quick dinner any night.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

For the Chicken

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Thighs stay incredibly juicy and are more forgiving than breasts.
Olive Oil: Used for searing to create a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground adds a subtle, warm spice.

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides the savory, salty base; using low-sodium lets you control the salt level.
Honey: The star of the show, creating a sweet, sticky glaze that caramelizes.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity brightens the rich flavors.
Garlic and Ginger: Freshly minced and grated for the most potent, aromatic flavor.
Cornstarch (Optional): For thickening the sauce to a glossy, restaurant-quality consistency.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Delicious honey garlic chicken thighs baked to perfection with a sweet-savory sauce. Easy one-pan dinner ready in under 50 minutes. Perfect family meal!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 28

Total Time 48

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

oven
oven-safe skillet
mixing bowl
whisk
measuring cups
measuring spoons
paper towels
instant-read thermometer
cutting board
knife

Ingredients

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 cloves garlic finely minced
1 tsp fresh ginger finely grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening
2 tablespoons cold water optional, for thickening
2 tablespoons fresh parsley optional, finely chopped for garnish
1 tsp sesame seeds optional, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Thoroughly pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of low-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 4 cloves of finely minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of finely grated fresh ginger until all ingredients are well combined. Set the sauce aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering. Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs into the hot skillet in a single layer. Sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until each thigh is deeply golden brown. If your pan is not large enough, sear the chicken in two batches to avoid overcrowding.
Pour the prepared honey-garlic sauce directly over the seared chicken in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer on the stovetop. Once simmering, carefully transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit when measured with an instant-read thermometer, and the sauce has visibly thickened slightly.
If the sauce is not as thick as you prefer after baking, carefully remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce in the skillet, whisking constantly. Continue to simmer and whisk for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, turning to coat each thigh thoroughly with the thickened honey-garlic sauce. Let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, if desired.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley or sesame seeds if desired. Use cornstarch slurry for a thicker sauce.

Keyword chicken thighs, honey garlic, one-pan

Ways to Make This Dish Your Own

Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
Extra Veggies: Toss in broccoli florets or bell pepper strips during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Different Protein: This sauce is also fantastic with chicken breasts, pork chops, or salmon fillets.

My Top Tips for Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Pat Chicken Dry: Thoroughly drying the thighs before seasoning ensures a proper sear, not steam.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Sear in batches if needed to get that beautiful golden-brown color on each piece.
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: A cast-iron or stainless steel pan allows you to go from stovetop to oven seamlessly.
Let it Rest: Allowing the chicken to sit in the sauce for 5 minutes helps it absorb all the flavors.

Cozy Serving of Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

How to Store and Reheat Your Leftovers

Store: Place cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
Make-Ahead Tip: The honey garlic sauce can be whisked together and stored in the fridge up to 3 days in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I recommend pounding them to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate as the thighs. Keep a close eye on the cooking time, as breasts can dry out more easily.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

The safest way is to use an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The juices should also run clear when the thickest part is pierced.

Can I make this honey garlic chicken gluten-free?

Absolutely. Simply replace the regular soy sauce with tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it an easy swap.

Why is my sauce not thickening?

If your sauce is too thin after baking, the cornstarch slurry is your best friend. Whisk it into the simmering sauce on the stovetop for a minute or two, and it will thicken to a perfect, glossy consistency.

More Family-Friendly Dinner Recipes

Why This Honey Garlic Chicken Is a Weeknight Favorite

With its irresistible sweet and savory glaze and incredibly juicy chicken, this one-pan meal is a surefire way to make dinner feel special without any fuss. It’s the kind of easy chicken dinner recipe that earns a permanent spot in your regular rotation. I hope it brings as much comfort and joy to your table as it does to mine.

Baked Chicken Thighs