Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs – Sheet Pan Dinner in 35 Minutes!
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This honey garlic chicken thighs recipe has become my go-to for busy weeknights when I need something delicious on the table fast. The magic happens when tender chicken thighs meet a saucy honey garlic glaze, all while roasting alongside colorful vegetables on a single sheet pan.
What sets this honey garlic chicken recipe apart is the incredible marinade that infuses every bite with flavor. While marinating for even just an hour makes a difference, overnight is best. The result? Juicy chicken with vegetables that soak up all those amazing pan drippings. Plus, with just one pan to clean, you’ll have more time to enjoy dinner with your family!
Ingredient Notes & Tips
Getting restaurant-quality results from this garlic honey chicken recipe starts with understanding your ingredients:
Chicken Thighs
- We use Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs. We get remarkable flavor while trimming a few calories. You can use skin on as well.
- Use another cut of chicken. Chicken breasts, either bone-in or boneless. Wings make an easy appetizer.
- Boneless thighs work too – just reduce cooking time by 5 minutes
- 2 pounds feeds 4-6 people generously
The Marinade Magic
- Honey: Use pure honey for best results – it caramelizes beautifully
- Olive oil: Helps the marinade coat evenly and promotes browning
- Soy sauce: Low-sodium prevents over-salting
- Garlic: Fresh minced plus garlic powder creates layers of flavor
Spice Blend
- Paprika: Adds color and subtle smokiness
- Onion powder: Deepens the savory notes
- Sweet chili sauce (optional): Just a tablespoon adds gentle heat
- Salt and pepper to taste – go easy since soy sauce adds saltiness
Vegetables
- Bell peppers: Use any colors you like – they all taste great
- Red onion: Becomes sweet and jammy when roasted
- Cut everything into similar-sized pieces for even cooking
How to Make It
Creating this delicious honey garlic chicken thighs dinner is easier than you might think:
- Make the marinade (2 minutes): In a large ziplock bag, combine olive oil, honey, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili sauce (if using), and minced garlic. Close the bag and mix thoroughly by squishing everything together.
- Marinate the chicken (1 hour to overnight): Add chicken thighs to the bag, seal, and shake well to coat every piece. Place the bag in a bowl (in case of leaks) and refrigerate. One hour works, but overnight transforms this into something special – the flavors really penetrate the meat.
- Prep your vegetables (5 minutes): While the oven preheats to 400°F, slice your red onion and bell peppers into strips about 1/2 inch wide. If marinating overnight, add vegetables to the bag during the last 30 minutes. For shorter marinades, add them right before cooking.
- Prepare the pan (2 minutes): Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. The foil also helps with caramelization by reflecting heat back onto the food.
- Arrange everything (3 minutes): Pour the entire contents of the bag onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread chicken and vegetables into a single layer, making sure nothing overlaps. Turn chicken pieces skin-side up, if you’re using skin-on chicken thighs, for even browning.
- Bake to perfection (23 minutes): Place in the oven and bake for 20-23 minutes total, flipping everything halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature and the skin looks golden and slightly crispy.
- Rest and serve (5 minutes): Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This keeps all those delicious juices inside. The vegetables should be tender.
Recipe Variations
This versatile honey garlic chicken recipe adapts beautifully to different tastes:
Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken: Place marinated chicken and vegetables in slow cooker. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add vegetables during the last hour for best texture. Note: skin won’t crisp but the meat will be incredibly tender.
Extra Spicy Version: Add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes to the marinade. Serve with extra chili sauce on the side.
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Kid-Friendly Sweet: Replace chili sauce with 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce and add an extra tablespoon of honey. Kids love this version!
Fancy Dinner Party Style: After cooking, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve over garlic noodles with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.
Low-Carb Option: Skip the honey or reduce to 2 tablespoons, and serve with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. Load up on extra low-carb vegetables like zucchini and broccoli.
How to Store It
Proper storage keeps your honey garlic chicken delicious for days:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as everything continues to meld together.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and vegetables in meal-sized portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: For crispy skin, reheat in the air fryer at 330°F for 3-4 minutes. Oven reheating at 350°F for 8-10 minutes works great too. Microwave in a pinch but skin will soften.
Meal Prep: Marinate several batches at once and freeze in bags. Thaw overnight and you’ve got dinner ready to bake!
Related Recipes
If you love this honey garlic chicken recipe, you’ll definitely enjoy these other easy dinner favorites:
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken – Another Asian-inspired sheet pan dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes with a homemade teriyaki glaze.
Instant Pot Asian Rice – This delicious simple rice makes a quick and easy side dish in 15 minutes.
Asian Cabbage Salad – Delivers a crunchy, colorful element to any meal and is so quick to make too.
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry – When you’re craving takeout flavors but want to control the ingredients. Ready faster than delivery!
Ready To Make It?
This honey garlic chicken thighs recipe proves that delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home. The combination of sweet honey, savory garlic, and perfectly roasted vegetables makes this a winner every time.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars. Your feedback helps other readers and makes my day!
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chili sauce *OPTIONAL*
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 lb chicken thighs
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 2 bell peppers sliced
- Salt and pepper to your liking
Instructions
- In a ziplock bag, add the olive oil, honey, soy sauce, honey, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli sauce, and the minced garlic.
- Close the bag and mix well.
- Add the chicken thighs.
- Close the bag and shake it, so that the chicken is coated with the marinade.
- Place the bag in a bowl and into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil.
- If you are marinating the chicken for only 1 hour, add the onion and peppers. If you are marinating the chicken overnight, add the onion and peppers while the oven is preheating. Mix well.
- Pour the coated chicken, onions, and peppers into the prepared baking sheet.
- Cook for 20-23 minutes, flipped halfway through. Cook until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 °F.
Notes
- Make it spicy: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade.
- Make it kid-friendly: Add some BBQ sauce and omit the chili sauce.
- Make it Deluxe: Serve with sesame seeds or chopped green onions.
- Serve over garlic noodles with fresh chopped herbs.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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