Description
This grilled honey garlic chicken recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smoky. Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a rich honey garlic sauce, grilled to perfection, and finished with a glossy glaze. It’s a quick, flavorful dish that brings out the best in summer grilling and weeknight meals alike.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
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1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed
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Salt, to taste
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Black pepper, to taste
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2 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil like canola or avocado)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
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⅓ cup honey
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¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
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4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
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1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional but adds depth)
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½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a mild kick)
For the Glaze (Optional)
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1 teaspoon cornstarch
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1 tablespoon water
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, vinegar or lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Pour half of the sauce over the chicken in a sealed container or zip-top bag. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 6 hours in the refrigerator. Reserve the remaining sauce. -
Grill or Sear the Chicken
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Lightly oil the grates. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, brushing with reserved sauce during the final minutes until the chicken is nicely caramelized.
Stovetop Option: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 6–7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. -
Make the Glaze (Optional)
Simmer the reserved sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch and water mixture and cook until thickened and glossy, about 2 minutes. -
Serve
Plate the chicken hot, drizzled with the sticky glaze. Pair with rice, grilled vegetables, or your favorite sides.
Notes
Substitution: Swap chicken thighs for breasts or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Spicy Version: Add sriracha or extra chili flakes for more heat.
Make Ahead: Marinate chicken up to a day in advance.
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months. Reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 6 oz chicken)
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken recipe, grilled chicken dinner, summer grilled chicken, BBQ chicken recipe, easy grilled chicken thighs