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Quick Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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This quick and easy honey garlic chicken thighs recipe is a weeknight lifesaver. With a perfect balance of sweet and savory, it creates a sticky, glossy glaze in just 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup (110g) honey
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for extra thickness)
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) neutral oil (e.g., avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). If using cornstarch, mix it with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a separate tiny bowl to make a slurry.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil. Once shimmering, place the chicken thighs in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet around the chicken. Let it simmer and reduce, spooning the sauce over the chicken as it thickens, about 2-3 minutes. If using the cornstarch slurry, pour it in now and stir.
  5. Remove the skillet from heat and let the chicken rest for 1 minute. Transfer to a serving plate, spoon remaining glaze over the top, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Pat the chicken dry for a good sear. Let the chicken sear undisturbed to prevent sticking. Adjust sweetness by adding more honey or soy sauce. Garlic burns easily, so add it to the sauce rather than sautéing alone. For extra sauce, double the sauce mixture and simmer separately. The sauce thickens as it cools.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, sticky chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meal, chicken thighs, easy recipe, 20-minute meal

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/quick-sticky-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-easy-20-minute-dinner/