Enjoy these sticky, tender chicken thighs infused with a delicious garlic, soy and honey sauce. The perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors transforms this simple dish into a culinary treat. Ready in just 20 minutes, it offers a satisfying and luscious meal ideal for a quick yet impressive dinner experience.
I made this honey garlic chicken recipe because its really easy and perfect for busy nights. I start with 4 boneless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs) which gives a good hit of protein.
I season them lightly with salt and pepper and then cook them in 1 tbsp vegetable oil until they start to turn golden. I mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey and 4 minced garlic cloves to create a sticky sauce thats full of flavor.
The sauce not only tastes amazing but also adds a nutritional boost thanks to the protein from the chicken and small amounts of vitamins from the garlic. I love how this dish fits right in with some fall chicken meals or simple dinner recipes i love for a quick dinner chicken meal.
Its an ideal boneless skinless chicken thigh dinner idea for any night you need something delicious yet easy to whip up.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s super simple and the ingredient list is short, so I can always count on it even when I’m in a rush. I really like how the chicken turns out juicy and sticky every time; the garlic, soy and honey sauce makes it taste amazing. Also, I appreciate that it only takes about 20 minutes to cook, making it perfect for busy weeknights when I don’t have a lot of time.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: They are full of high quality protein and tastes great while being juicy.
- Soy sauce: This ingredient adds a salty umami kick with a moderate sodium boost.
- Honey: A natural sweetener with simple carbohydrates that gives the dish a signature glaze.
- Garlic: Brings a strong classic aroma that lifts the overall flavor profile for real.
- Vegetable oil: Helps to sear the chicken but careful doesnt overload it with fats.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 boneless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make this
1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
4. Add the chicken thighs to the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they turn golden.
5. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken in the skillet.
6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 8 minutes or until it is cooked through.
7. Occasionally spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to keep it moist and sticky.
8. If the sauce seems too thin, let it cook uncovered for another minute or two until it thickens up nicely.
9. Once the chicken is tender and the sauce is sticky, remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately.
10. Enjoy your honey garlic chicken with your favorite sides like rice or steamed veggies.
Equipment Needed
1. A stove for heating and cooking the chicken
2. A large skillet to brown and simmer the chicken
3. A mixing bowl to combine the soy sauce, honey, and garlic
4. Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient amounts
5. A spatula or tongs to flip the chicken thighs
6. A spoon to baste the chicken with the sauce
7. A serving plate to transfer and enjoy the finished dish
FAQ
Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: Instead of boneless chicken thighs you could use chicken breasts or even drumsticks if you prefer a different texture.
- Soy Sauce: If you can’t have regular soy sauce try tamari or coconut aminos. They’re both great options and work well in the recipe.
- Honey: For a similar sweet flavor you can use agave nectar or maple syrup. They give a similar glaze and taste.
- Vegetable Oil: If you don’t have vegetable oil on hand olive oil or canola oil will work too.
Pro Tips
1. If you got time, marinate the chicken in the sauce for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This really gets the flavor into the chicken and makes it extra tasty.
2. Make sure your pan is really hot before you add the chicken; if it’s not hot enough the chicken might just stew instead of getting that nice, crispy brown outside.
3. When you’re simmering the chicken in the sauce, spooning some sauce over the top a few times helps it stay moist and sticky.
4. If you like a thicker sauce, let it cook a little longer uncovered at the end but keep checking so it doesnt burn or get too thick.
Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Enjoy these sticky, tender chicken thighs infused with a delicious garlic, soy and honey sauce. The perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors transforms this simple dish into a culinary treat. Ready in just 20 minutes, it offers a satisfying and luscious meal ideal for a quick yet impressive dinner experience.
4
servings
255
kcal
Equipment: 1. A stove for heating and cooking the chicken
2. A large skillet to brown and simmer the chicken
3. A mixing bowl to combine the soy sauce, honey, and garlic
4. Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient amounts
5. A spatula or tongs to flip the chicken thighs
6. A spoon to baste the chicken with the sauce
7. A serving plate to transfer and enjoy the finished dish
Ingredients
-
4 boneless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
-
1/4 cup soy sauce
-
1/4 cup honey
-
4 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 tbsp vegetable oil
-
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
- Add the chicken thighs to the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they turn golden.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken in the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 8 minutes or until it is cooked through.
- Occasionally spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to keep it moist and sticky.
- If the sauce seems too thin, let it cook uncovered for another minute or two until it thickens up nicely.
- Once the chicken is tender and the sauce is sticky, remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately.
- Enjoy your honey garlic chicken with your favorite sides like rice or steamed veggies.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 200g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 255kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Potassium: 300mg
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 21g
- Protein: 20g
- Vitamin A: 0IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 1mg
