Print

Quick Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs – Easy 30-Minute Dinner

sticky honey garlic chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

This quick sticky honey garlic chicken thighs recipe delivers perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors in just 30 minutes. With crispy golden skin and a glossy, caramelized sauce, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup honey (80 ml)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (60 ml)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed (12 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (2.5 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
  • Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), and sesame oil. Set aside.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Swirl to coat the bottom.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until skin is deep golden brown.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs using tongs. Cook the other side for 4-5 minutes.
  6. Pour the sauce mixture into the pan around the chicken. Let it come to a bubble, then reduce heat to medium-low.
  7. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the chicken cook in the sauce for 10 minutes.
  8. Remove the lid and transfer chicken to a plate, leaving the sauce in the pan. Turn heat up to medium-high.
  9. Whisk the cornstarch slurry again and pour it into the bubbling sauce. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  10. Return the chicken to the pan, spooning thickened sauce over each piece. Simmer for another 2 minutes, flipping once to coat both sides.
  11. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra sticky sauce, let it simmer an additional minute after adding cornstarch slurry. If using boneless chicken thighs, reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes. The sauce can be doubled for extra servings. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, sticky chicken, quick dinner, 30-minute meal, chicken thighs, weeknight dinner, easy recipe

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/quick-sticky-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-easy-30-minute-dinner/