Honey Garlic Baked Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken thighs baked with a sweet honey garlic glaze for a comforting dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5-2 lbs)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Honey Garlic Sauce

04 - 1/3 cup honey
05 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish or large ovenproof skillet with foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
03 - Position chicken thighs skin-side up in the prepared dish, spacing them slightly apart to allow even cooking.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, and chili flakes until well combined.
05 - Pour the glaze evenly over the chicken thighs, using a brush to coat all surfaces thoroughly.
06 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, basting halfway through. Chicken is done when skin is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 175°F.
07 - For extra crispy skin, broil on high for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and sesame seeds before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy while the skin gets crackling crispy, which honestly feels like winning at cooking.
  • You'll have a stunning glaze that tastes way more complicated than the five minutes it takes to whisk together.
  • It works for weeknight dinners and fancy enough for when people are coming over, so you're not juggling two different recipes.
02 -
  • If your chicken skin doesn't dry completely before seasoning, it will steam instead of crisp, so spend the extra 30 seconds with the paper towels, trust me.
  • The glaze will thicken as it cools, so don't panic if it looks thin while cooking, it's absolutely supposed to do that.
03 -
  • A quick broil finish at the very end transforms the skin from golden to genuinely crackling, and it's worth the two minutes of attention.
  • If you want extra brightness, squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything right before serving, which cuts through the richness beautifully.
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