Honey Soy Chicken Thighs

Honey soy chicken thighs recipe made with boneless skinless chicken thighs in honey soy marinade, sauce, and baked to perfection. It is an easy, quick chicken recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes and makes a perfect weeknight or weekend dinner.

We like dark meat and this sweet and savory chicken thighs recipe is no exception. Marinated in the best honey soy marinade, this sticky chicken is packed full of flavor. You can also simply cook it on the stovetop and I have included directions for both so you can choose whichever way you want it.

Like this black pepper chicken, this recipe is easy and It takes less than 30 minutes to make. Serve it on noodles, potatoes, or rice for a perfect dinner.

Honey Soy Chicken thighs Recipe

This honey soy chicken thighs recipe is simple to make and you will love it because:

It's easy, quick and tasty.

It's flavorful, tender and juicy.

Can be baked in the oven or on the stove.

It's sweet and savory and can be served with almost any side dish.

You can get it ready in just 30 minutes (marinating time not included).

It's failproof and you can't go wrong with this recipe.

Related posts: honey mustard marinade, honey soy chicken wings.

Ingredients

Chicken thighs  - You can use either skinless boneless chicken thighs or bone in. You can also use chicken breasts (Check tips section for cooking time).

Honey

Soy sauce

Garlic

Apple cider vinegar

Black pepper

Sesame oil

Salt

Honey Soy Marinade 

The marinade is easy and quick taking just 5 minutes or less to put together. Here's how:

Add the honey, soy, garlic, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, salt, and sesame oil to a bowl. Whisk together till it's well combined. It's ready to be used to marinate chicken or make a sauce. 

To make it a sauce, add 1-2 tablespoons of cornflour to the marinade and pour in a saucepan. Cook on low heat till it thickens then take off the heat. It's ready to use.

How to Make Honey Soy Chicken thighs

To make honey soy baked chicken thighs:

Rinse and pat chicken dry with a kitchen towel, add in a bowl then pour honey soy marinade on it.

Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge to marinate for 1-2 hours. 

Bring out the marinated chicken and leave to get to room temperature. 

Arrange in a baking dish, or cast iron skillet, pour in the marinade, then place the baking tray in the oven and bake at a temperature of 200C for 20 minutes. Halfway through baking, scoop the sauce on top of the chicken or turn the chicken thighs over in the dish.

To make the sauce thicken, add in cornflour slurry to the sauce 10 minutes to end of the cooking time.

Bring out of the oven, serve and enjoy. 

Make it on the Stovetop

To make stovetop honey soy chicken thighs:

Over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet or non stick frying pan. 

Arrange the marinated chicken in the pan and leave to pan fry for 5 - 7 minutes without moving it. When it's golden, and no longer sticking to the pan then turn the chicken to the other side.

Cook the other side for another 5-7 minutes then add in the honey soy marinade with cornflour.

Stir till it thickens then take off heat. You can garnish with spring onions, or sesame seeds.

Serve immediately.

What to Serve with

Here are some suggestions on what to serve with honey soy chicken:

It's great with any type of rice from Long grain rice, Chinese egg fried rice, brown rice.

Lo mein, Noodles, or Pasta.

Vegetables like Mediterranean vegetables, roasted carrots, sauteed vegetables, air fryer veggies.

Boiled potatoes, roast potatoes or mashed potatoes are all great sides.

Tips

• You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs but it will take lesser time to cook. So adjust time accordingly. I suggesting reducing cooking time by 10 minutes then check if done.
• If using bone in chicken, add additional 10 minutes to the cooking time.
• If using leg quarters, the same cooking time as bone in thighs will apply as the thigh is the thickest part.
• Substitute black pepper for cayenne, chili, sriracha, or pepper flakes.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste. 
• Use low sodium soy sauce or mix.
• You can make the sauce ahead and store it. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Marinate in the fridge for 2 hours before cooking or longer if you have the time.
• If using skin-on chicken, to avoid the top from burning, cover with foil then open last 5 minutes to get a nicely browned top. 
• Chicken is cooked and safe to eat when the internal temperature is at least 75C/165F. Use an instant meat thermometer to check.

How to Store and Reheat

Add in a Ziploc or freezer-safe container, put in the fridge where it will last up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, defrost it in the fridge or reheat from frozen. It can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.

To microwave, cook on high for 2 minutes add more time if necessary.

To reheat honey soy chicken thighs in the oven, bake at a temperature of 180C/350F for 5 minutes or until heated through.

More Chicken Thighs Recipe

Lime Chicken thighs

Honey garlic chicken

Air fryer chicken thighs

Instant pot chicken thighs

I hope you like this recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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