Easy Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Why you’ll love this easy chicken thigh recipe

Honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs tick all the boxes – from taste and texture to ease of preparation and adaptability.

Here are some reasons why you should be making it for dinner today:

• Rich Flavors: The delicious sauce with sweet honey, pungent garlic, zesty lemon, and aromatic pepper makes the chicken thighs irresistible. This recipe competes with my honey lemon pepper wings in taste, texture and popularity!
• Juicy and Tender: The honey lemon pepper sauce not only infuses the chicken with flavor but also ensures it melts in your mouth.
• Quick and Easy: This recipe makes a hassle-free and perfect dinner for busy weeknights. With minimal prep work, you can have a gourmet meal on the table in no time.
• Versatile Dish: You can serve this lemon pepper honey garlic chicken with a wide range of sides like white rice, quinoa, salad, or roasted vegetables, making it adaptable to different dietary preferences.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining guests, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Like garlic parmesan chicken skewers, this chicken recipe is also a great choice for gatherings and celebrations.
• Crisp and Golden-Brown: The sticky sauce gives the chicken a beautiful golden-brown finish that makes you drool. Similar to my honey garlic tofu recipe.
• Customizable Heat Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne and black pepper to suit your heat preferences. Whether you prefer a mild kick or a spicier experience, you have the control.
• Minimal Cleanup: This is essentially a one-pan chicken recipe. With just a few utensils, you can easily whip up these chicken thighs with delicious honey garlic sauce.
• Health Benefits: Chicken thighs are a good source of protein and the addition of lemon provides a dose of vitamin C. Plus, the natural properties of honey and garlic offer potential health benefits.

Ingredients

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

You’ll need only a handful of simple ingredients for this delicious recipe. Most of the names are already in the title 🙂

• Chicken: Bone-in chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe. That being said, you can use chicken breasts too. Ensure that you thinly slice them like this and tenderise them using this method before cooking. (Reduce the browning and simmering time by about half.)
• Spices: I’ve used cayenne to season the chicken and black pepper and paprika for the sauce.
• Flavoring agents for the tangy sauce: Chicken stock, honey, garlic and fresh lemon juice and zest. (I use this zester to zest the lemon as well as grate the garlic. It is an amazing multipurpose tool.)
• Olive oil: To brown the chicken and bring the honey lemon pepper sauce together.
• Fresh herbs: Thyme goes well with all the flavors going on here. That being said, feel free to use others like rosemary, sage or parsley.

How to make honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs: step by step

Marinate chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry. Marinate them with cayenne, black pepper, salt and lemon juice overnight. If you don’t have the time, marinate for at least an hour.

Remember to pierce with a fork all over the thighs before keeping them in the fridge. This will ensure that the chicken absorbs the flavors well. I do this while making baked thin sliced chicken breasts too.

Brown the chicken thighs

Heat oil in a medium skillet. Add the marinated chicken thighs. Sear them undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat.

Flip and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them onto a plate.

Make honey garlic lemon pepper sauce

Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet. Add minced garlic. Saute on low heat for a couple of minutes.

Prepare the honey lemon pepper sauce mixture: Mix together chicken stock, honey, paprika, black pepper, lemon juice and zest in a small bowl.

Add the honey mixture to the skillet and bring it to a boil.

Add chicken thighs

Add chicken thighs to the hot honey lemon pepper sauce. Reduce the flame to medium-low. 

Cook covered for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once in between.

Place sprigs of fresh thyme and lemon slices in the sauce and cover again. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

Transfer the chicken thighs onto a serving platter and drizzle the sauce on top. Garnish the glazed chicken with caramelized lemon slices and more fresh thyme.

Recipe tips

1. Refrigerated chicken thighs: Ensure that you bring the chicken thighs to room temperature before you start cooking. Keep them out of the fridge for about 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken thighs. Once it reaches the 20-minute mark, check the temperature. Chicken must reach a safe internal temperature of 74°C/165 ºF.
3. If you don’t have a meat thermometer: Make a slit using a knife at the middle (thickest part) of the thigh. If the flesh is white, you’re good. If you see traces of pink, cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more.
4. For more sauce: This recipe makes just enough sauce to glaze the chicken thighs. If you want them to be more saucy, just double all the ingredients for the sauce.

What to serve with honey lemon pepper chicken

Pair these sweet and spicy glazed chicken thighs with a variety of side dishes for an easy dinner recipe:

• Crispy smashed potatoes with cheese
• Oven roasted potatoes and broccoli
• Balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Yogurt

Click here for more side dishes.

Make it a nutritious chicken dinner by serving the sticky chicken thighs with a fresh salad:

• Beet walnut feta salad
• Balsamic quinoa salad
• Healthy potato salad with raisins
• Red lentil salad with honey lemon dressing
• Beet and mandarin orange salad
• Purple cabbage slaw with Greek yogurt

Click here for more salads.

Honey lemon pepper chicken also tastes great with fruit salsa like pineapple avocado salsa or the easy mango salsa in this salmon recipe.

More chicken recipes

• Lemon balsamic chicken thighs
• Baked thin sliced chicken breasts
• Panko crusted chicken breasts
• 5 easy chicken mince recipes

Click here for more exciting chicken recipes.