How to Make the Perfect Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
American · Easy · 40 min · 4 servings
Juicy bone in chicken thighs cooked in a rich honey garlic butter sauce that caramelizes beautifully. This one pan meal is incredibly flavorful and easy to clean up.
Why this recipe works
This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 460 calories with 36g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 9 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 pieces bone in skin on chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Dry skin is essential for getting a properly seared golden crust.
Step 2: Sear Skin Side Down
Heat olive oil in an oven safe skillet over medium high heat. Place chicken skin side down and cook undisturbed for 7 to 8 minutes until the skin is deep golden and crispy.
Step 3: Flip and Add Sauce
Flip the chicken and reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Pour in honey and soy sauce and stir to combine around the chicken.
Step 4: Bake in the Oven
Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400 degree F oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the glaze is caramelized.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the pan sauce over each thigh and garnish with fresh thyme. Serve with rice or steamed broccoli.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- bone in skin on thighs → boneless thighs for faster cooking
- honey → agave syrup for a vegan sweetener option
- soy sauce → coconut aminos for a gluten free alternative
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Do not move the chicken while it sears or you will tear the skin and lose the crust
- Do not skip resting the chicken or the juices will run out when you cut into it
- Do not use a non oven safe pan as it will damage the pan and ruin the recipe
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 460 calories, 36g protein, 18g carbs, 26g fat, 0g fiber.
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