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Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

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3.9 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Leila
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked to golden crispiness and coated in a luscious honey garlic glaze. Perfectly balanced with savory tamari or soy sauce, sweet honey and brown sugar, and a hint of sesame, this recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop for a delicious family meal served with steamed rice and Asian greens.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 6 boneless chicken thighs (skin on or off, can be substituted with chicken breast)
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • 3 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce (use tamari for gluten free)
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
  • 2 tbsp water

To Serve

  • Steamed rice
  • Steamed Chinese broccoli (gai lan), or any Asian greens
  • Finely sliced spring onion (scallion)
  • Chilli oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Season both sides evenly with sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance flavor and achieve a good crust when cooking.
  2. Heat the oil: Place a large, deep pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking in preparation for frying the chicken.
  3. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken thighs skin-side or smooth side down to the hot pan. Cook for 4–5 minutes without moving to ensure the skin crisps up nicely. Press down gently on the skin with a spatula if skin-on for extra crispness. Flip the thighs and cook for another 4–5 minutes until fully cooked through and golden. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate. Reserve at least 2 tablespoons of rendered fat in the pan, discarding any excess.
  4. Prepare the honey garlic sauce: In a small bowl, combine tamari or soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, freshly minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornflour, and water. Whisk the ingredients thoroughly until smooth with no lumps, ensuring a consistent sauce base.
  5. Combine chicken and sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the pan with the reserved fat. Allow the sauce to bubble and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes glossy. Return the cooked chicken thighs to the pan, turning them gently to coat thoroughly with the sauce.
  6. Serve: Optionally slice the chicken into strips for easier eating. Serve the honey garlic chicken thighs over steamed rice alongside steamed Chinese broccoli or your preferred Asian greens. Spoon any extra sticky sauce over the top and garnish with finely sliced spring onions and a drizzle of chilli oil if you desire a spicy kick.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time as breasts cook faster and can dry out.
  • Use tamari to keep the recipe gluten free and choose rice vinegar or white vinegar labeled gluten free for best results.
  • If the sauce is too thin, simmer a little longer to thicken; if too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Find it online: https://recipesbyleila.com/honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe/