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Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 105 reviews

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs cooked to golden perfection and glazed with a luscious, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. The chicken is pan-fried to get crispy skin before being simmered in a fragrant sauce made with garlic, honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs (or substitute with boneless skinless thighs)
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or any neutral oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup, brown sugar, or light corn syrup if allergic to honey)
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
  • ½ tablespoon regular soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or potato starch/tapioca starch)

Instructions

  1. Debone the chicken thighs: Turn each chicken thigh bone side up. Using a sharp paring knife, carefully make small slits around the bone until it can be removed cleanly.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry on both sides using a clean paper towel. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside to allow the flavors to develop.
  3. Make the honey garlic sauce: In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, honey, cold water, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
  4. Cook the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down and fry until the skin turns golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs and cook the other side for about 2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
  5. Simmer in sauce: Reduce the heat to low-medium. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce around the chicken thighs in the pan. Allow the sauce to thicken as it simmers. Flip the chicken to skin side down for 15 seconds to let the skin absorb the sauce, then flip again to the other side.
  6. Garnish and serve: Garnish the chicken with chopped green onions. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board, slice into smaller pieces if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Deboning is optional; you can use bone-in thighs without removing the bones but cooking time will be slightly longer.
  • Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey or substitute syrups.
  • Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for safety.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
  • Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken, Chicken Thighs Recipe, Pan-fried Chicken, Asian Chicken Dish, Sweet Garlic Sauce, Easy Dinner Recipe

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/honey-garlic-chicken-recipe/