Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (for marinade)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar (for marinade)
• 1.5 tbsp honey (for marinade (1-2 tbsp))
• 1 tsp garlic (grated (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder) for marinade)
• 1 tsp ginger (grated (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger) for marinade)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (for marinade)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (for marinade)
• 1.5 tbsp butter (for glaze)
• 2.5 garlic (cloves, finely minced (2-3 cloves) for glaze)
• 2 tbsp honey (for glaze)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (for glaze)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar (for glaze)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (for glaze)
• chili flakes (optional heat for glaze)

Steps

1. 1

   In a bowl, mix the chicken thighs with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

2. 2

   Let the chicken marinate for 15–30 minutes at room temperature, or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.

3. 3

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

4. 4

   Place the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Reserve any leftover marinade from the bowl for the glaze.

5. 5

   Bake the chicken for 25–30 minutes, until it is almost cooked through.

6. 6

   While the chicken is baking, prepare the glaze. In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat.

7. 7

   Add the minced garlic to the butter and sauté for 30–60 seconds, or just until fragrant.

8. 8

   Stir in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and the reserved leftover marinade. Add chili flakes if using.

9. 9

   Simmer the mixture for 1–2 minutes until it becomes slightly thick and glossy.

10. 10

    Remove the chicken from the oven and brush the prepared glaze generously over the pieces.

11. 11

    Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (205°C) and return the chicken to the oven for 8–12 minutes.

12. 12

    Optional: Broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end to achieve sticky, caramelized edges, watching closely to prevent burning.

13. 13

    Serve the chicken with rice, cucumbers, or steamed greens.

Notes

For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Watch the chicken closely if you choose to broil at the end to avoid burning the honey-based glaze.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• baked
• dinner
• easy
• honey garlic