Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on pieces that provide rich flavor and tender meat.

Honey: Adds a natural sweetness and helps to create a sticky glaze.

Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey.

Garlic: Freshly minced cloves that infuse the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor.

Olive oil: Used for searing the chicken, adding a subtle richness.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the seasoning.

When searing the chicken thighs, make sure the skin side is down first. This will help render out the fat and create a crispy, golden-brown skin. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even browning. If necessary, sear the chicken in batches.

• bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs - Substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs: They cook faster and are easier to eat, though you may miss some of the flavor and moisture from the bones and skin.

• bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs - Substitute with chicken drumsticks: They have a similar cooking time and flavor profile, making them a good alternative.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: It provides a similar sweetness with a slightly different flavor profile.

• honey - Substitute with agave nectar: It has a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a good vegan alternative.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: It is gluten-free and has a similar umami flavor.

• soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: It is a soy-free alternative with a slightly sweeter taste.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic for a similar flavor.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: They provide a milder, sweeter flavor that complements the dish well.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: It has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: It has a neutral flavor and is good for high-heat cooking.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: It provides a similar level of saltiness with a slightly different mineral content.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: It has larger grains and a slightly different texture, but provides the same level of saltiness.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: It has a milder flavor and is less visually noticeable in the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: It adds a bit of heat along with the peppery flavor, so use sparingly.

• Allow the chicken thighs to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can lead to sogginess.

• Transfer the cooled chicken thighs to an airtight container. If you’re stacking them, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.

• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the chicken within 3-4 days. This ensures the chicken remains fresh and flavorful.

• For longer storage, place the chicken thighs in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

• Label the container or bag with the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of how long the chicken has been stored.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken thighs in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.

• Reheat the chicken in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent drying out.

• Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a microwave. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until hot.

• For a crispier skin, you can reheat the chicken thighs in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side, until the skin is crispy and the chicken is heated through.

• Serve the reheated honey garlic chicken thighs with your favorite vegetables or side dishes for a quick and delicious meal.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover honey garlic chicken thighs in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Heat for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down.
  4. Cover and heat for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is warmed through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken thighs on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent drying out.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second increments until warm.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. This method will help to crisp up the skin while keeping the meat juicy.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the chicken thighs in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 45 minutes.
  4. Remove from the bag and, if desired, sear in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes to crisp the skin.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken thighs to ensure they are cooked through.

• Skillet: Used to sear the chicken thighs until they are golden brown.

• Tongs: Handy for turning the chicken thighs while searing them in the skillet.

• Small bowl: Used to mix the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the honey and soy sauce.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, salt, and pepper.

• Knife: Needed to mince the garlic cloves.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to mince the garlic.

• Basting brush: Useful for spreading the honey garlic mixture evenly over the chicken thighs.

• Oven mitts: Important for safely handling the hot skillet when transferring it to and from the oven.

• Serving platter: Used to present the cooked chicken thighs for serving.

Pre-marinating: Marinate the chicken thighs the night before to save time on preparation day.

Use a cast iron skillet: A cast iron skillet can go from stovetop to oven, reducing the need to transfer the chicken to another dish.

Minced garlic in advance: Mince the garlic ahead of time and store it in the fridge to save a few minutes.

Preheat the oven: Start preheating the oven while you season and sear the chicken to streamline the process.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.