Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs seared to perfection then baked in a delicious honey garlic sauce infused with herbs. It combines the sweetness of honey with the savory flavors of garlic, oregano, thyme, and basil, making it an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner that pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or a crisp Caesar salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken & Seasoning
- 5-6 boneless chicken thighs (bone-in can be used; adjust cooking time accordingly)
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce & Garnish
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
- 5 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Parsley, finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs thoroughly. Season both sides with salt and ground black pepper to your taste.
- Sear the Chicken: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear each side for 2 to 3 minutes until nicely browned. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet, cover, and set aside.
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the finely minced garlic and cook while stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the honey, dried oregano, thyme, and basil until everything is well combined.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, turning to coat both sides thoroughly in the honey garlic sauce.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through with no pink remaining inside and juices run clear. To ensure doneness, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F (74°C). Flip the chicken once during baking.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the chicken with finely chopped parsley. Serve hot alongside your favorite sides like loaded mashed potatoes and a Caesar salad. Enjoy your flavorful meal!
Notes
- Bone-in chicken thighs can be used, but baking time may need to be increased to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring chicken after searing.
- Adjust the amount of honey for a sweeter or less sweet sauce according to your preference.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.