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To make Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs, you will need: - 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) - 1/4 cup honey - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your desired spice level) - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - Salt and pepper, to taste Each ingredient plays a key role. The chicken thighs give a juicy base. Honey adds sweetness. Soy sauce gives a savory kick. Garlic and ginger bring a fresh taste. Red pepper flakes add the heat you love. Garnishes can elevate your dish. Consider adding: - Chopped green onions - Sesame seeds These add color and texture. Green onions give a fresh crunch. Sesame seeds add a nutty flavor. Feel free to get creative with your garnishes! Store your ingredients properly to keep them fresh. - Chicken thighs: Keep them in the fridge. Use within 2 days. - Honey: Store in a cool, dark place. It lasts a long time. - Soy sauce: Keep it in the pantry. It’s fine at room temp. - Garlic and ginger: Store in the fridge for a few days. Remember to check for freshness. This keeps your dish tasty and safe to eat. To start, you need to mix the marinade. In a medium bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Whisk it until smooth. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this mix for later. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish. Pour the rest of the marinade over the chicken. Make sure to coat them well. Cover the dish and let it sit. You can marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the fridge. This helps the flavors soak into the chicken. Next, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the marinated chicken thighs out of the dish. Let any extra marinade drip off. Use paper towels to pat the skin dry gently. This step is key for crispy skin! Now, season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it adds great flavor. Now, let’s sear the chicken. Heat vegetable oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the thighs over and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes. This step locks in the juices and adds texture. Once seared, pour the reserved marinade over the chicken thighs. Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. You want the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures it’s cooked through but still juicy. Halfway through baking, grab a brush. Use it to coat the chicken with the reserved marinade. This basting step helps develop a beautiful glaze. It also enhances the flavor of the chicken. After baking, take the skillet out of the oven. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute. It makes the meat juicy and tender. Before serving, sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top. This adds a nice crunch and fresh flavor. Enjoy your meal! To get crispy skin, start with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Dry the skin well with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy when cooked. When you sear the chicken, use medium-high heat and let it cook without moving it. This allows the skin to brown nicely. Sear for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Once you flip it, sear for just a few more minutes. The oven will finish cooking it and keep the skin crispy. You can easily change how spicy your chicken is. The red pepper flakes in the recipe add heat. If you like it mild, use less. If you want it hotter, add more flakes. Another option is to add hot sauce to the marinade. Taste the sauce before you add it to the chicken. This way, you can find the right balance for your taste. Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken pairs well with many sides. Here are a few ideas: - Steamed jasmine rice - Roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots - A fresh green salad with a light dressing - Garlic mashed potatoes - Stir-fried bok choy These sides complement the flavors of the chicken. They also balance the spice and sweetness well. Enjoy your meal! {{image_4}} You can make spicy honey garlic chicken using other proteins. Try pork chops or shrimp. Both of these options cook quickly and soak up flavor well. Use the same marinade for a tasty twist. Just adjust cooking times. For shrimp, cook until they turn pink. For pork, ensure it reaches 145°F (63°C). If you want a vegetarian dish, use tofu instead of chicken. Choose firm tofu for the best texture. Press the tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes and marinate just like the chicken. Bake or pan-fry until golden brown. This will give you a delicious and hearty meal. Add vegetables to your spicy honey garlic dish for extra nutrition. Broccoli, bell peppers, or green beans work well. Toss the veggies in the marinade. You can roast them in the oven alongside the chicken. This way, you create a colorful one-pan meal that looks great and tastes even better. To store your leftover spicy honey garlic chicken thighs, let them cool first. Once cooled, place the chicken in an airtight container. Be sure to cover it well to keep moisture in. Leftovers can stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to freeze your chicken, it's simple. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap tightly. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, they won’t get freezer burn. You can freeze the chicken for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat your chicken, you have a few options. You can use an oven, microwave, or stovetop. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes until warm. In the microwave, heat on medium power for about 2-3 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through for even heating. If using the stovetop, warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat for about 5-7 minutes. Enjoy your meal! Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Chicken breasts will cook faster, so check them early. They may not be as juicy as thighs, but they will still taste great. Just ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can store marinated chicken for up to 2 hours at room temperature. If you refrigerate it, you can keep it for up to 24 hours. Beyond that, the chicken may become too salty and lose its flavor. If you lack red pepper flakes, you can use hot sauce or cayenne pepper. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference. You can also skip the heat altogether if you prefer mild flavors. Yes, you can double the recipe. Just ensure you have a larger baking dish or skillet. Adjust cooking times slightly as needed, but keep an eye on the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is fully cooked. This blog post covered how to make a tasty honey garlic chicken dish. We explored key ingredients and storage tips. You learned step-by-step cooking instructions to get juicy and crispy chicken. We shared tips for adjusting spice levels and perfect side dishes. You can also try fun variations, like spicy honey garlic chicken or honey garlic tofu. For storage, we shared how to keep leftovers fresh. With these insights, you can cook delicious meals your family will love. Enjoy your cooking journey!

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are the perfect blend of sweet and spicy that will elevate your dinner game. This easy recipe guides you through marinating, searing, and baking chicken thighs to perfection, ensuring they are juicy and flavorful. With simple ingredients like honey, soy sauce, and garlic, you can create a dish that's both mouthwatering and satisfying. Click to explore the full recipe and impress your family tonight!
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Ingredients
  

4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)

1/4 cup honey

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your desired spice level)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Chopped green onions, for garnish

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions
 

Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until well blended. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this marinade for later use. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish and pour the remaining marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the dish and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor infusion.

    Prepare for Cooking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the marinated chicken thighs out of the dish and allow any excess marinade to drip off. Using paper towels, gently pat the chicken skin dry. Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper.

      Sear the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, carefully place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Sear for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the thighs over and sear the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes.

        Bake the Chicken: Pour the reserved marinade over the seared chicken thighs. Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

          Baste and Caramelize: About halfway through the baking process, use a brush to coat the chicken with the reserved marinade. This will help develop a beautiful glaze and intensify the flavors.

            Rest and Serve: Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat juicy and tender.

              Garnish: Before serving, generously sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken for an added crunch and burst of freshness.

                Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 4

                  - Presentation Tips: Serve the chicken thighs on a large platter, drizzling any remaining glaze from the skillet over the top. Add a handful of vibrant green herb garnishes, such as cilantro, for an extra pop of color.