Crispy Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken Thighs
A quick and easy grilled chicken thigh recipe featuring a sticky honey garlic glaze that creates a crispy, flavorful crust while keeping the meat juicy inside.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
- ⅓ cup (113 grams) honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels (about 5 minutes). Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil until smooth (about 3 minutes).
- Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over, coating each piece well. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 204°C). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 6-8 minutes without moving them to crisp the skin.
- Flip the thighs carefully with tongs. Using a basting brush, apply a generous layer of the reserved marinade as glaze. Cook for another 6-8 minutes with the lid closed.
- Flip back to skin side up and brush more glaze. Grill another 2-3 minutes. Flip once more, glaze again, and cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total grilling time should be about 20-25 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a plate lined with paper towels and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry before marinating is essential for crispy skin. Brush the glaze multiple times during grilling to build layers of flavor and caramelization. Watch for flare-ups caused by dripping marinade and move chicken to cooler grill zones if needed. Reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken to use as glaze to avoid contamination. If no grill is available, use a grill pan or bake in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, glazing during the last 10 minutes under the broiler.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 22
Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, sticky glaze chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, summer grilling, backyard cookout