Description
Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and coated in a flavorful honey garlic sauce with zesty lemon and savory pepper. Perfect for a delicious and comforting dinner, this recipe pairs wonderfully with orzo, rice, or noodles and promises a family-friendly meal full of vibrant tastes and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 bone-in chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Generous freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or vegan butter (for dairy-free option)
- 6 garlic cloves, sliced
Sauce
- ⅔ cup honey
- ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) to prepare for finishing the chicken in the oven.
- Season chicken and sear skin-side down: Place the chicken thighs in a large, deep oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan. Generously season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Arrange chicken skin-side down in the pan to begin cooking the skin to crispy perfection.
- Sear chicken on stovetop: Over medium-high heat, cook the chicken for 5 minutes or until it releases easily from the pan, developing a nice golden-brown crust.
- Flip chicken and add butter and garlic: Turn the chicken over and cook for 2 ½ minutes. Add the tablespoon of butter and sliced garlic cloves to the skillet. Continue cooking for another 2 ½ minutes, nudging the chicken and garlic occasionally to evenly cook and infuse the garlic flavor.
- Prepare honey garlic lemon sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, fresh lemon juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon zest, and dried thyme in a small bowl or measuring cup, creating a sweet, tangy, and aromatic sauce.
- Add sauce and boil: Pour the honey mixture over the chicken in the skillet. Flip the chicken to skin-side up, then bring the sauce to a boil on the stovetop for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish cooking in the oven: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of at least 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius), ensuring juicy and fully cooked meat.
Notes
- Storage Directions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Reheating: Warm the chicken in the microwave on medium heat for 45-second to 1-minute intervals until heated through.
- Baking Pan Variation: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish and bake according to the recipe’s temperature and timing.
- Boneless chicken option: You can use skin-on boneless chicken thighs and bake for 15-20 minutes. Boneless, skinless thighs are also suitable but may result in a less rich sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: American
