Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken (Printable)

Juicy chicken thighs glazed in honey garlic and grilled to tender, sticky perfection with a smoky char.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 Steps:

01 - Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, vinegar, smoked paprika, and 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 optimal flavor development.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Reserve remaining marinade in a separate container.
06 - Place chicken on grill skin side down first. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until deeply browned and internal temperature reaches 175°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
07 - While chicken grills, pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened and sterilized.
08 - During the final 2 to 3 minutes of grilling, brush cooked marinade over chicken pieces using a basting brush to create a sticky caramelized glaze.
09 - Transfer chicken to a serving platter and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Quick and easy preparation with minimal hands-on time
  • Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay incredibly juicy and flavorful
  • Sweet and savory marinade creates an irresistible sticky glaze
  • Perfect for summer grilling and outdoor entertaining
  • Dairy-free and adaptable to various dietary needs
  • Works beautifully with both gas and charcoal grills
02 -
  • Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning for crispier skin
  • Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but 2-4 hours yields the deepest flavor
  • Always boil reserved marinade before using as a glaze for food safety
  • Use medium-high heat to avoid burning the honey while achieving proper char
  • Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling to retain maximum juiciness
  • Oil your grill grates well to prevent sticking and ensure beautiful grill marks
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