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–+ servings
Lemon pepper honey garlic chicken thighs garnished with thyme and caramelized lemon slices on a plate.

Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Recipe

Honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs are not only packed with flavor but also easy to make. They are perfect for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions. These delicious chicken thighs with honey lemon pepper sauce can quickly become a household favorite. Discover the secrets to achieving tender chicken thighs with a crisp, golden-brown glaze.
Author: Sheeba
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Marinating time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course, Party food
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 186.2 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

To marinate chicken

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

To brown the chicken

Honey lemon pepper sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (+more for garnish)
  • 4 lemon slices

STEP BY STEP IMAGES

Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions
 

Marinate chicken

  • Clean 4 chicken thighs and pat them dry using kitchen towels.
  • Toss them with 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a medium bowl.
  • Pierce the thighs with a fork. This will ensure that the chicken absorbs the flavors well.
  • Let them marinate overnight in the fridge. If you don’t have the time, marinate for at least an hour.

Brown the chicken thighs

  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet. Add the marinated chicken thighs.
  • Sear them undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat.
  • Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them onto a plate.

Make honey garlic lemon pepper sauce

  • You'll have some oil left in the skillet. If not, add ½ a teaspoon of oil.
  • Mince 4 cloves garlic. Once the oil is hot, add garlic and sauté on low heat for a couple of minutes.
  • Prepare the honey sauce mixture: In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup chicken stock, 2 teaspoons honey, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¾ tablespoon lemon juice and 2 teaspoons lemon zest.
  • Add the honey mixture to the skillet and bring it to a soft boil.

Add chicken thighs

  • Add chicken thighs to the hot honey lemon pepper sauce. Reduce the flame to medium-low.
  • Cover the pan and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once in between.
  • Place 4 sprigs fresh thyme and 4 lemon slices in the skillet and cover again. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

Garnish

  • 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.

Video

Notes

  • Chicken: Bone-in chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe. Thighs are dark meat with more flavor and bones also add to the flavor. However, you can use chicken breasts too. Ensure that you thinly slice them like this and tenderize them using this method before cooking. (In the case of chicken breasts, you need to marinate only for 30 minutes. Reduce the browning and simmering time by about half.)
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • For more tips see the post above.
 
Nutrition Facts
Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
186.2
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8.1
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.6
g
10
%
Trans Fat
 
0.02
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4.1
g
Cholesterol
 
96.9
mg
32
%
Sodium
 
392.2
mg
17
%
Potassium
 
362.1
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
8.3
g
3
%
Fiber
 
1.4
g
6
%
Sugar
 
3.9
g
4
%
Protein
 
23.5
g
47
%
Vitamin A
 
412.9
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
20.6
mg
25
%
Calcium
 
32.5
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1.5
mg
8
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.