Saucy Honey Chipotle Chicken is an easy baked chicken thighs recipe, with a seriously delicious sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce. This is one of our favorite healthy dinner recipes!
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If you’re looking for an easy family friendly meal, this recipe is a go-to!
The bone-in thighs are seared on the stove, achieving perfectly crispy skin, and then baked to perfection in a delicious honey chipotle sauce that will pair well with just about any of your favorite dinner side dishes!
Whether you’re super busy, in need of a quick and satisfying meal or a food enthusiast looking for a flavor packed meal, this recipe has the perfect balance of ease and incredible taste.
great reasons to make honey chipotle chicken thighs
- Protein-packed – There are 19 grams of protein per serving. All poultry (even thighs) have healthy nutrients, too.Â
- Kid-friendly flavors – The combination of honey and chipotle chilies in adobo sauce has a kick of both sweet and spicy, making it super flavorful!
- Easy and adaptable recipe – Cooking shouldn’t require difficult decisions. The ingredients in this recipe are easy to substitute for whatever you have on hand!
ingredients for our glazed chicken thigh recipe
- bone-in chicken thighs with skin
- seasoning – the spices are just basic pantry staples; salt and pepper, paprika and garlic powder
- olive oil
- green onions and fresh parsley for serving
honey chipotle sauce ingredients
- unfiltered honey – Raw honey can be a little pricey, but it’s free of additives. Did you know that if it’s stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, honey doesn’t expire?!
- chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – these are essential for the flavor of this recipe
- dijon mustard – whole grain mustard would also work
- balsamic vinegar – the acidity helps tenderize the chicken
- lime
ingredient substitutions and flavor variations
Olive Oil: You can substitute avocado oil, butter, or ghee.
Chicken Thighs: Boneless chicken thighs work for this recipe, but they’ll need less cooking time! Chicken breasts will also work here.
If using boneless/skinless meat, skip the browning step and add chicken breasts to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the sauce over top and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 163°F. Allow the dish to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.Â
Honey: We haven’t tried substituting with maple syrup but it should work. Just be sure to use real maple syrup – not pancake syrup.
Mustard & Balsamic Vinegar: We haven’t tried making this recipe without the mustard or balsamic vinegar so I’m not sure how it would taste.
Other Flavors: If you love chicken thighs, this Dutch Oven Maple Peach Chicken Thighs recipe is great, as is Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs!
Liz’s Tips for making baked chicken thighs
- Use an oven-safe skillet. To create crispy skin, you need to sear the chicken in a skillet on the stove, but then you’ll transfer everything to the oven to finish cooking. By using a large cast iron skillet or other oven-safe pan, you’ll have less dishes to wash.
- Pat chicken thighs dry before seasoning. You do not need to wash or even rinse them off – just use a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temp of the chicken thighs registers 165°F. Important note: Be sure that the thermometer probe isn’t touching any bones.
- For even crispier skin, place the chicken under the broiler for 3 minutes before serving.
- To save time, you can make the honey chipotle sauce up to 3 days ahead. Just keep it stored in an airtight container the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, just whisk the ingredients again to reincorporate them.
How to Make
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook chicken thighs in olive oil in a hot skillet, skin-side down. Sear for 3-5 minutes, flip and sear for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a 9×13 baking dish.
- Whisk together honey, chipotles, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, and a tablespoon of oil until smooth. Pour over top of the chicken thighs.
- Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 165°F. Garnish with sliced green onions and parsley. Serve immediately.
side dish suggestions for honey chipotle chicken
You can serve this meal with any healthy side dish, but the honey chipotle sauce tastes amazing on these sides:
- white, brown, or wild rice
- mashed potatoes
- crispy roasted sweet potatoes
Be sure to try the sauce on grilled chicken thighs, too!
If you’re looking for lighter sides, consider making a salad – maybe this kale salad or a spinach strawberry salad)
We love this instant-read thermometer for checking the internal temperature to make sure your meat is cooked thoroughly!
storing and reheating leftovers
Storing: Leftovers will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Leftover chicken is fantastic shredded and added cold to a avocado ranch salad.
Freezing: We don’t recommend freezing honey glazed chicken. The topping can get an odd texture when frozen.
Reheating: You can reheat the leftovers in the toaster oven, oven or on the stove. We don’t like to microwave chicken, because it takes on a rubbery consistency.
Other healthy chicken recipes:
Looking for other easy chicken recipes? check out these!
Honey Chipotle Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1-1.5 lbs)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chopped (about 6 oz)
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ lime juiced
- 2 green onions thinly sliced for serving
- Fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once hot, carefully add chicken thighs, skin-side down. Sear for 3-5 minutes, flip and sear for another 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, chipotles, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, and the additional tablespoon of oil until smooth.
- Pour the honey chipotle sauce over top of the chicken thighs.
- Transfer to a preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 165°F.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For even crispier skin, place the chicken under the broiler for 3 minutes before serving.
- Try it on boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs!
Kat says
We enjoyed this dish very much-I’ll be making it again! Thank you!
Nan Newell says
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Tantalizing combination of flavors.