Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts (About 2 lbs): The star of the show! You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor, or boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option. Both work wonderfully in this recipe.
- Honey (½ cup): The natural sweetener that provides that signature honey-garlic glaze. Use a good quality honey for the best flavor.
- Soy Sauce (½ cup): Adds a savory, umami depth and saltiness to balance the sweetness of the honey. Low sodium soy sauce is recommended to control the salt level.
- Garlic (6-8 cloves): The aromatic powerhouse! Fresh garlic is essential for that pungent, garlicky flavor. Mince it finely to release its full aroma and flavor into the sauce.
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Helps to coat the chicken and promotes browning during baking. It also adds a touch of richness to the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Provides a subtle tanginess that cuts through the sweetness and balances the flavors. It also helps tenderize the chicken.
- Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a nutty, aromatic depth that elevates the flavor profile of the sauce, giving it an Asian-inspired touch.
- Ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy note that complements the garlic and honey beautifully, adding complexity to the sauce.
- Red Pepper Flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): For a touch of heat! If you like a little kick, red pepper flakes add a subtle spiciness that balances the sweetness and savory notes. Adjust to your spice preference.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors in the dish. Season generously to taste.
- Sesame Seeds and Chopped Green Onions (for garnish, optional): Adds a beautiful visual appeal and a final layer of flavor and texture. Sesame seeds provide a nutty crunch, while green onions add a fresh, mild oniony flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for baking chicken, ensuring it cooks through while developing a lovely golden-brown exterior. While the oven is preheating, prepare your baking dish. Choose a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar sized oven-safe dish. Lightly grease the dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking during baking and to make cleanup easier later.
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Marinade: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce (low sodium recommended), minced garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Ensure all the ingredients are well combined to create a homogenous marinade. If you are using red pepper flakes for a touch of spice, add them to the marinade at this stage and whisk to distribute them evenly. This flavorful marinade is the key to the deliciousness of the dish.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts into the bowl with the honey garlic marinade. Using tongs or your hands (ensure they are clean!), toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the marinade. Make sure every piece of chicken is well covered, allowing the marinade to penetrate and infuse the chicken with flavor. For optimal flavor, it’s recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or for even better results, marinate it in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours, or even overnight. Longer marinating times will result in more flavorful and tender chicken. If marinating in the refrigerator, allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange Chicken in Baking Dish: Remove the marinated chicken from the bowl and arrange it in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Avoid overcrowding the dish, as this can steam the chicken instead of baking it properly and prevent it from browning nicely. If necessary, use two baking dishes to ensure the chicken is in a single layer. Pour the remaining honey garlic marinade over the chicken in the baking dish. This extra marinade will act as a basting sauce as the chicken bakes, keeping it moist and adding even more flavor.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes for chicken breasts, or 35-45 minutes for chicken thighs. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken and your oven. To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and chicken thighs should reach 170°F (77°C).
- Baste and Continue Baking (Optional): For extra flavorful and glossy chicken, you can baste the chicken halfway through the baking time (around 20 minutes in for breasts, or 25 minutes in for thighs). Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and spoon some of the honey garlic sauce from the bottom of the dish over the chicken. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking for the remaining time. Basting helps to keep the chicken moist and enhances the glaze.
- Broil for Caramelization (Optional): If you desire a more caramelized and slightly crispy top, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Turn the oven to broil (high heat) and watch the chicken closely to prevent burning. Broiling should be done quickly and carefully, as the honey in the sauce can burn easily. Broiling is optional but adds a nice visual appeal and textural contrast.
- Rest and Garnish: Once the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned (and optionally broiled), remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the chicken rest in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat. Before serving, garnish the baked honey garlic chicken with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. These garnishes add a final touch of flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the dish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Easy Baked Honey Garlic Chicken hot, with your favorite sides. The delicious honey garlic sauce in the baking dish can be spooned over the chicken and sides for extra flavor. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your flavorful and easy-to-make Baked Honey Garlic Chicken!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20
- Fat: 25
- Protein: 40