Big Honey Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
What You’ll Need:
For the Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless if preferred)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary (plus more for garnish)
For the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds a tangy depth)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp paprika (for a little color and flavor)
How to Make It:
1. Prep the Chicken:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels (for crispy skin!).
- Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Sear for Flavor:
- In an oven-safe skillet or frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken thighs, skin side down, for 4–5 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip and sear the other side for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter and let it melt.
- Toss in the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in honey, mustard, soy sauce, lemon juice, and paprika.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Bake to Perfection:
- Return the chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up. Spoon sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle rosemary leaves on and around the chicken.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally and the skin is caramelized.
5. Broil (Optional but Awesome):
- Broil on high for 2–3 minutes to get that sticky golden top.
To Serve:
- Spoon extra sauce over the chicken.
- Garnish with more fresh rosemary.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted veggies to soak up the sauce!
Tips:
- Want a spicier version? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- No rosemary? Try thyme or parsley.
- Boneless chicken? Reduce baking time to 20–22 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This:
- Sweet, savory, garlicky, and buttery all at once.
- Super juicy inside, caramelized on the outside.
- Makes your kitchen smell like a dream!