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Flavorful Honey Garlic Boneless Chicken Thighs Easy Lemon Herb Sauce Recipe

honey garlic boneless chicken thighs - featured image

Juicy boneless chicken thighs glazed with a sweet honey garlic sauce and brightened with a fresh lemon herb sauce, perfect for quick and flavorful weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup honey (85 grams)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (45 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (60 ml), low-sodium

Instructions

  1. Pat the boneless chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper (about 5 minutes).
  2. Heat a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat until the oil shimmers but does not smoke (2-3 minutes).
  3. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until nearly cooked through (total 10-12 minutes).
  4. Remove the chicken briefly to a plate. Lower heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Once fragrant (about 1 minute), pour in honey, chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine (3-4 minutes).
  5. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the thighs, and simmer gently for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce and finish cooking the chicken. Stir in chopped parsley and thyme just before serving (5 minutes).
  6. Check the sauce consistency; if too thin, simmer a minute or two longer. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice as desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure a crispy sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Add garlic after searing to prevent burning. Simmer sauce gently to avoid burning honey. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness (165°F/74°C). For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, boneless chicken thighs, lemon herb sauce, quick chicken recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, juicy chicken, honey glaze