Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Southern Style)

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Southern Style) are the kind of sweet, savory, sticky comfort that fills your kitchen with warmth — juicy chicken thighs smothered in a buttery honey-garlic glaze with just a touch of Southern spice. They’re golden, tender, and absolutely irresistible. One bite feels like warm Southern hospitality.

Ingredients
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

For the honey garlic glaze:
1/3 cup honey
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for Southern heat)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat chicken thighs dry to help them crisp.

Season thighs on both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high and sear thighs skin-side down until golden (about 4–5 minutes).
Flip and sear the other side 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Make the glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt butter.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Whisk in honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer 2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Pour the honey garlic glaze over the chicken thighs in the skillet.

Bake for 25–35 minutes, spooning glaze over the top halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and sticky.

Broil 2 minutes for caramelized edges.

Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, cornbread, or roasted veggies — sweet, savory, and pure Southern comfort.