Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken thighs marinated in honey garlic and grilled for a sweet, savory finish.

# Ingredient list:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, approximately 2 pounds
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Marinade

04 - ⅓ cup honey
05 - ¼ cup soy sauce, low-sodium preferred
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
12 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How-to:

01 - Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes until fully combined.
03 - Place chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly coated. Seal and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor development.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Reserve the marinade for basting.
06 - Place chicken skin side down on grill. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until deeply browned and internal temperature reaches 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
07 - Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken and ensure food safety.
08 - During the final 2 to 3 minutes of grilling, brush the thickened marinade over chicken using a basting brush to create a sticky, caramelized glaze.
09 - Transfer grilled chicken to a serving platter. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in about an hour with just 10 minutes of active prep time
  • The honey garlic marinade is simple but incredibly flavorful
  • Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay juicy and tender on the grill
  • Perfect for summer entertaining or easy weeknight dinners
  • Dairy-free and naturally delicious
  • The sticky glaze gives you that restaurant-quality finish at home
02 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning for better browning and crisper skin
  • Don't move the chicken too much on the grill—let it develop a good sear before flipping
  • Reserve some of the cooked glaze to drizzle over the plated chicken for extra flavor
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute
  • If flare-ups occur from dripping marinade, move chicken to indirect heat temporarily
  • Double the marinade recipe if you want extra sauce for serving
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