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best chicken thigh recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This recipe features sticky gochujang honey glazed chicken thighs with glossy, caramelized skin, offering an explosion of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. It’s a practical fix for delicious, juicy chicken, perfect for busy families and those seeking vibrant home cooking.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approx. 2 lbs total)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp garlic, minced (about 2 cloves)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp fresh scallions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Sear Chicken Thighs: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down. Sear for 6-8 minutes, undisturbed, until deeply golden brown and crispy. Flip and sear for another 2 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make the Gochujang Glaze: Whisk together gochujang, honey, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Glaze and Bake: Return seared chicken, skin-side up, to the skillet. Brush about one-third of the glaze over the skin. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Every 8-10 minutes, baste with more glaze; watch for a thick, sticky, caramelized coating.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the skillet from the oven. Let the chicken rest in the skillet for 5 minutes. Plate, drizzle with remaining pan glaze, and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions for a vibrant finish.
Notes
For crispy skin, thoroughly pat chicken dry and ensure pan is hot enough when searing. Prevent dry chicken by using a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. For dietary variations, swap honey for a sugar-free sweetener (keto/low-carb), check gochujang and soy sauce for gluten-free, or use coconut aminos for paleo.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Baking
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (approx. 225 g)
- Calories: 420 calories
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg