HONEY CHILI GARLIC SAUCE CHICKEN THIGHS RECIPE 🍯

Calling all bold flavor seekers! πŸ”₯ Get ready to sink your teeth into the most irresistible Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs you’ve ever tried. This recipe is a flavor explosion that will have you coming back for more. With a sticky-sweet glaze and a kick of heat, these chicken thighs are the perfect balance of comfort and craveable goodness. Grab your napkins, because this one’s about to get messy (in the best way possible)! πŸ˜‹

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs

Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs Recipe 2

This Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! ✨ Juicy, tender chicken thighs are coated in a finger-licking-good sauce that’s equal parts sweet, savory, and spicy. The sticky glaze caramelizes on the outside, creating a delightful crunch, while the meat stays perfectly moist and flavorful on the inside. Plus, it’s a breeze to make, so you can enjoy all the big bold flavor without the hassle. Get ready for rave reviews and requests for seconds (and thirds)! πŸ™Œ

Key Tips for the Best Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs

The key to nailing this recipe is to avoid overcooking the chicken. Chicken thighs can dry out quickly if they’re cooked for too long, so keep a close eye on them and use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach the perfect internal temperature of 165Β°F. 🌑️ (If you want a quick refresher on safe chicken temperatures and doneness, this chicken cooking temperature guide from USDA Kitchen Basics is super helpful.)

For the most mouthwatering Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs, be sure to let the sauce simmer until it thickens and becomes nice and sticky. This will create a glaze that clings to the chicken and gives you that irresistible caramelized, crispy texture on the outside. 🍯

What to Serve With Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs

Serve the Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs over fluffy white rice or quinoa, with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. 🍽️ These bold and craveable chicken thighs also make a great protein-packed addition to bowls, wraps, or tacos. πŸ₯— For an even more indulgent experience, serve them alongside crusty bread or rolls to soak up every last bit of the delectable sauce. πŸ₯– And don’t forget to pair it with a refreshing beverage, like a cold beer or a crisp, fruity mocktail. πŸ₯€

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for just a few simple, flavorful ingredients that come together in the most delicious way. πŸ₯° You’ll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, honey, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. That’s it! With these bold flavors, you’ll be whipping up a flavor-packed meal in no time.

  • 4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs β€” the star of the show!
  • 1/2 cup honey β€” for that irresistible sticky-sweet glaze
  • 3 tablespoons chili garlic sauce β€” for a kick of heat
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce β€” adding savory depth
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar β€” balancing out the sweetness
  • Salt and pepper β€” to season the chicken

Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)

  • Chili garlic sauce β†’ Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce (still delicious, promise) βœ…
  • Chicken thighs β†’ Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (easy dietary swap) πŸ‘

How to Make Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs (Step-by-Step)

Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs Recipe 4

This recipe is a breeze to make, with just a few simple steps. Let’s get cooking!

Step 1: Prep Work

Start by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and seasoning them with salt and pepper. πŸ‘Œ In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to make the delectable sauce.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process

Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. 🍳 Flip the thighs and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.

Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly

Pour the honey chili garlic sauce over the chicken and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce thicken, basting the chicken occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is nicely glazed. πŸ—

Step 4: Finishing Touches

For the ultimate flavor experience, garnish the Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. 🌢️ Serve this bold and craveable dish with your favorite sides, like fluffy white rice, roasted veggies, or a fresh, crisp salad. πŸ₯—

Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)

Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.

  • Swap the protein β€” Try swapping the chicken thighs for drumsticks or even bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. βœ…
  • Experiment with vinegar β€” You can also try using apple cider or balsamic vinegar to add a unique twist to the sauce. βœ…
  • Kick up the heat β€” For an extra kick of heat, stir in a teaspoon or two of your favorite hot sauce, such as Sriracha or chili-garlic sauce. πŸŽ‰
  • Make-ahead magic β€” Prepare the honey chili garlic sauce in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the chicken. This will make the process even quicker and easier on busy weeknights. πŸš€

Warning: “Just one more bite” is basically guaranteed. πŸ˜…πŸ΄

Serving & Storage

TopicNotes
Best Serving IdeasServe the Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs over fluffy white rice or quinoa, with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. 🍽️
Fridge StorageStore any leftover Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 🧊
Freezer StorageFor longer-term storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken thighs in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 3 months. πŸ§Šβ„οΈ
Reheating (Microwave)To reheat, simply place the chicken thighs in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals until heated through, being careful not to overcook. πŸ“Ά
Reheating (Oven/Air Fryer)Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken thighs in the oven at 350Β°F for 10-15 minutes, or in an air fryer at 400Β°F for 5-7 minutes, until hot and crispy. πŸ”₯
Make-Ahead TipsPrepare the honey chili garlic sauce in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the chicken. This will make the process even quicker and easier on busy weeknights. πŸ“†

Nutrition Notes

These Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs are not only incredibly delicious, but they’re also a nutritious and well-balanced meal. Each serving is packed with protein from the chicken, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, the honey and chili garlic sauce provide a tasty boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. πŸ’ͺ Enjoy this flavor-packed dish guilt-free as part of a healthy, satisfying dinner.

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
  • Calories: 330 kcal
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Carbs: 22 g
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
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Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs Recipe

Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs Recipe


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  • Author: RecipeOnFire
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Deliciously sticky and spicy, these Honey Chili Garlic Sauce Chicken Thighs are perfect for grilling and will be a hit at your next BBQ!


Ingredients

Scale

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped green onions for garnish


Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

2. In a bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Coat the chicken thighs with the marinade, ensuring they are well covered. Allow marinating for at least 30 minutes.

4. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the preheated grill.

5. Grill the chicken thighs for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165Β°F (75Β°C).

6. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.

7. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.

Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or rice for a complete meal.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: BBQ, Grilling & Smoky Bites πŸ”₯
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Quick Questions People Always Ask

What can I serve with Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs?

Honey chili garlic sauce Chicken Thighs pair beautifully with fluffy white rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh, crisp salad. They also make a great protein-packed addition to bowls, wraps, or tacos.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! While chicken thighs are the star of this recipe, you can easily swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time, as chicken breasts tend to cook faster than thighs.

How can I make this recipe even spicier?

For an extra kick of heat, stir in a teaspoon or two of your favorite hot sauce, such as Sriracha or chili-garlic sauce, to the honey glaze. You can also sprinkle on some red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chilies for a fiery finish.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Absolutely! The honey chili garlic sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the chicken. This makes for an even quicker and easier weeknight meal.

How can I ensure the chicken stays juicy and tender?

The key to juicy, tender chicken thighs is to avoid overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165Β°F, and be sure to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in all those delicious juices.

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