Golden Honey Chicken

Name: Golden Honey Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup honey; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp water; Salt to taste; Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

🕒 Prep: 10 min

🔥 Cook: 35 min

🍽 Serves: 4

★★★★★

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Golden Honey Chicken is a delightful dish that brings together the sweetness of honey and the savory depth of soy sauce, all wrapped in a luscious, buttery glaze. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or an impressive meal for guests, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious, bringing warmth and flavor to your table.

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Ingredients for Golden Honey Chicken

Honey provides a natural sweetness that balances the savory elements of the sauce. The soy sauce adds umami depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Butter gives the glaze a rich, velvety texture that coats the chicken beautifully. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal here, as they stay juicy and tender. The combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper gives a subtle, aromatic base to the chicken seasoning. Olive oil is used for searing, giving the chicken a lovely golden crust. Cornstarch mixed with water acts as a thickening agent to achieve the perfect glaze consistency. Finally, a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bright, herby finish.

Tips & Tricks

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey-soy mixture for an hour before cooking.
Don't skip the searing step; it adds great texture and locks in juices.
Check the chicken's internal temperature if you're unsure — it should reach 165°F.

Serving Suggestions

This golden honey chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy mashed potatoes, which soak up the delicious glaze. A side of steamed broccoli or roasted carrots complements the sweet and savory notes beautifully. For an extra touch, serve with a light, crisp salad to balance the richness of the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?: Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but they may need a slightly shorter cooking time to prevent drying out.
Is there a substitute for soy sauce?: If you're avoiding soy, coconut aminos can be a good alternative, although it will alter the flavor slightly.

Golden Honey Chicken Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 375°F. This gives the oven enough time to reach the right temperature by the time your chicken is ready to bake. While it warms, grab a small saucepan and melt together the honey, soy sauce, and butter over low heat. Stir occasionally until everything is smooth and combined. You don’t want this to boil, just enough to blend the flavors.

Next, take your chicken thighs and season them with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and a bit of salt. Make sure they're evenly coated. Over medium heat, warm up some olive oil in a skillet. Once hot, sear the chicken thighs on both sides until they’re beautifully golden brown — this locks in all those amazing juices and gives a lovely texture.

Transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish. Pour the warm honey glaze over them, making sure each piece is well-coated. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for that perfect doneness where the chicken is cooked through but still juicy.

While the chicken bakes, mix the cornstarch with water in a small bowl. After the initial baking time, add this mixture to the sauce in the baking dish. This will help thicken it up. Put the dish back in the oven for another 5 minutes — just enough time for the glaze to become silky and cling to the chicken.

Once done, take it out and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of color and flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

A quick, straightforward recipe that's weeknight-friendly.
Combines sweet and savory flavors for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Uses simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
Perfectly juicy chicken thighs with a delightful glaze.
Oven-baked for hands-off cooking once it's prepped.

Ingredients

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp water

Salt to taste

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a saucepan over low heat, combine honey, soy sauce, and butter until melted and smooth.

3. Season chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown.

5. Transfer chicken to a baking dish and pour the honey glaze over the top.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

7. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water and add to the sauce in the baking dish.