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Honey garlic chicken thighs are oven-roasted and tossed in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, garlic, sesame oil, sriracha, and fresh lime juice. It’s super easy to make and can be made in a single cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan with only 10 minutes of active prep work.
We’re big fans of chicken thighs because they’re super tender and flavorful and don’t tend to dry out like chicken breast. Served over jasmine rice, this dish is a really simple and delicious Asian-inspired recipe perfect for lazy weeknight cooking.
This simple honey garlic sauce is a sticky Asian-inspired sauce made with honey, sliced garlic, sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, and fresh lime juice (lemon works too). The sauce is thickened with a light simmer on the stove with the help of cornstarch
Amp up the spice and try some honey sriracha chicken thighs – or maybe you’re in the mood for cilantro lime? And if neither of those fits your taste, I’ll teach you how to make the perfect “blank canvas” roasted chicken thighs to add to your favorite meal.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: boneless chicken thighs are tender and easy to eat. You can use bone-in thighs but the bone makes the experience a little different. Chicken tenders work tell too.
- Cornstarch: cornstarch is a critical thickening agent that helps make the sauce thick and sticky. Dredging the chicken in corn starch also contributes to the texture an helps lock in the juices.
- Honey: honey is the sweetener that balances the spice. You can also use brown sugar.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: I like lighter soy sauce so it doesn’t overpower the chicken.
- Sesame oil: sesame oil adds delicious flavor. I wouldn’t skip this but it won’t make or break the dish.
- Sriracha: any garlicky/spicy sauce will work in this recipe.
- Citrus: I prefer lime juice but lemon or orange juice works too.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Expert Tips
- Bake chicken thighs for 40-45 minutes at 400°F. This will bring your chicken to the perfect internal temp of 165°F (always double-check with a digital thermometer).
- Dark meat chicken, such as thighs and wings, can be cooked above 165°F and retain tenderness and juiciness.
- You can take this recipe further by coating the chicken in cornstarch before baking. Not that chicken thighs need extra juiciness, but cornstarch helps the chicken retain juices and stay extra moist. It also lends a slight texture to the exterior that really soaks up the sticky sauce.
More Chicken Recipes
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Roasted Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs
- 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1-2 chopped scallions, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine or white rice
- Lime wedges, for serving
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, add more if you’d like it more spicy
- 1/2 lime, juice squeezed (lemon or orange works too)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Whisk together all honey garlic sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. Spraying a measuring cup with cooking spray before adding honey helps it slide ride out.
- Season chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge chicken thighs in corn starch until lightly coated, shake off excess.
- Place chicken thighs in a cast-iron skillet, oven-safe pan, or baking dish and roast for 40-45 minutes or until fully cooked through (165°F internally).
- With 20 minutes left on the chicken, prepare rice according to the instructions on the package.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and place the chicken on a plate. Transfer the skillet to a burner over medium heat. REMEMBER: The skillet handle will be very hot, don't forget to use oven mitts when handling on the stove. Add the honey garlic sauce and simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Be sure to stir to prevent burning
- Return chicken to the skillet to toss/coat in the sauce. Serve over jasmine rice and garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and extra lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a family favorite! I make it a few times a month! Delicious with a cucumber salad.
This looks great! Is it possible to bake these thighs in the oven instead?
This was a very good and easy. My kids ate it as well. Made a cucumber side salad and some Korean seasoned spinach. Thanks!
Made this for my crew at the fire house, and everyone loved it!
Glad to hear it, Jack!