Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs baked in a flavorful marinade of soy sauce, honey, garlic, ketchup, and rice vinegar, finished with a caramelized broil and garnished with sesame seeds. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory that pairs beautifully with rice or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 5 pounds chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your chicken is marinated and prepared.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, ketchup, vegetable oil, rice vinegar, and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs evenly in a baking dish, making sure they have enough space and are skin side up for even cooking.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the honey garlic marinade over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated to infuse maximum flavor.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake the chicken for 30 minutes to allow it to cook through while locking in moisture.
- Baste and Continue Baking: Remove the foil carefully, baste the chicken with the sauce from the dish, then return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Broil for Caramelization: Turn on the broiler and broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the honey garlic sauce and crispy up the edges—watch closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the hot honey garlic chicken with your choice of side dishes such as steamed rice, sautéed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
- Enjoy: Savor this deliciously sweet and savory chicken dish fresh from the oven with friends and family.
Notes
- Using chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender throughout baking.
- Adjust the amount of honey based on your preferred level of sweetness.
- Broiling at the end adds a flavorful caramelized crust; do not leave unattended to avoid burning.
- For thicker sauce, you can simmer the leftover marinade on stove until reduced before basting.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain moisture.
