Sticky Honey Soy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

ByJack Voss
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Introduction

Sticky Honey Soy Chicken is a delicious and easy baked dish featuring tender, flavorful chicken thighs or drumsticks coated in a sweet and savory glaze. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

The image shows four pieces of cooked chicken thighs covered with a shiny, dark brown glaze sauce, sprinkled with white sesame seeds and fresh green cilantro leaves on top. The chicken has a slightly charred, caramelized texture with a glossy finish. The pieces sit closely together with some sauce pooling around them, showing a rich and sticky texture. The background is a white marbled texture that contrasts with the dark sauce and bright green cilantro, making the dish look fresh and tasty. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1.2kg (2.4lb) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks (5 – 6 pieces)
  • 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Fresh coriander/cilantro leaves (or green onion, parsley, chives)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) or 180°C (fan-assisted).
  2. Step 2: Line a baking dish with foil, then cover with baking paper. The dish should be the right size to fit the chicken comfortably—not too spread out to avoid drying out the glaze, and not too tight so the glaze has room to thicken.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper to create the glaze.
  4. Step 4: Arrange the red onion wedges and chicken pieces skin side down in the baking dish. Pour the glaze evenly over the chicken and onions.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 25 minutes, then carefully turn the chicken pieces over and bake for another 25 to 35 minutes. The chicken should be browned with a sticky glaze. If the glaze isn’t syrupy enough, remove the chicken to a plate and return the baking dish to the oven for a few minutes to reduce the glaze further.
  6. Step 6: Turn the chicken back over and coat it thoroughly with the thickened glaze. Spoon extra glaze over the pieces for maximum flavor.
  7. Step 7: Serve the chicken with steamed rice and greens. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh coriander or your choice of fresh herbs.

Tips & Variations

  • To add heat, include a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the glaze mixture.
  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken works best for moisture and flavor, but boneless pieces can be used if preferred—just adjust cooking time accordingly.
  • For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the glaze for 1-2 hours before baking.
  • Substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to keep the glaze sticky and the chicken moist. Avoid overcooking when reheating to prevent dryness.

How to Serve

The image shows several golden-brown cooked chicken pieces covered in a shiny, dark reddish-brown sauce. White sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding texture and contrast. Fresh green cilantro leaves are scattered over the chicken, giving a pop of bright green color. The rich sauce appears thick and slightly glossy, pooling around the chicken with visible soft cooked onions or mushrooms underneath. The close-up view highlights the juicy and glazed surface of the chicken with natural lighting that enhances the warm colors, all set on a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs or drumsticks?

You can use chicken breasts, but they tend to dry out more easily. Reduce the baking time and monitor closely to keep them moist. Thighs and drumsticks are recommended for juicier results.

Is it necessary to line the baking dish with foil and baking paper?

Lining the dish helps with easy cleanup and prevents the glaze from sticking and burning. It also allows the glaze to reduce nicely without burning on the pan’s surface.

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Sticky Honey Soy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 105 reviews
  • Author: Jack
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5–6 servings 1x
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Description

This Sticky Honey Soy Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs or drumsticks baked to perfection in a luscious glaze of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. The result is a sweet and savory dish with a sticky, caramelized coating, garnished with sesame seeds and fresh coriander, perfect for serving alongside rice and steamed greens.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

  • 1.2kg / 2.4lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs OR drumsticks (5 – 6 pieces)
  • 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges

Glaze

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or ordinary white vinegar)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Garnishes

  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh coriander/cilantro leaves (or green onions, parsley, chives)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (390°F), or 180°C (fan) to ensure even heat circulation for baking the chicken perfectly.
  2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Line a baking dish with foil first, then baking paper to prevent sticking and make cleaning easier. The dish should be large enough so the chicken pieces fit comfortably without too much space to avoid glaze drying out or overcrowding which prevents proper thickening.
  3. Make the Glaze: In a bowl, combine minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a smooth, flavorful glaze.
  4. Arrange Chicken and Pour Glaze: Place the red onion wedges and chicken pieces skin side down into the baking dish. Pour the prepared glaze evenly over the chicken and onions, ensuring good coverage.
  5. Bake the Chicken: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then carefully turn the chicken pieces to coat them evenly. Continue baking for another 25-35 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through, and the glaze has thickened to a sticky consistency.
  6. Reduce Glaze if Needed: If the glaze is not syrupy enough at the end, transfer the chicken to a plate and return the baking dish to the oven for a few more minutes to reduce the glaze quickly.
  7. Squidge and Coat Chicken: Turn the chicken again and use a spoon to baste and squidge the sticky glaze over the pieces fully to enhance flavor and shine.
  8. Serve: Plate the sticky honey soy chicken alongside steamed rice and greens. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh coriander or preferred fresh herbs for a vibrant finish.

Notes

  • You can use either chicken thighs or drumsticks; bone-in and skin-on for best flavor and moisture.
  • Apple cider vinegar adds a mild tanginess, but white vinegar can be substituted if preferred.
  • Using foil and baking paper makes cleanup easier and prevents the glaze from sticking excessively.
  • If you want extra sticky glaze, you can reduce it separately after baking chicken.
  • This recipe pairs wonderfully with jasmine or basmati rice and steamed vegetables.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: honey soy chicken, baked chicken thighs, sticky chicken, easy dinner, Asian chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken

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