Looking for a quick chicken recipe with a delicious balance of sweet heat and smoky spices? These Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs bring together boneless, skinless chicken, a flavorful dry rub, and a sticky honey-cider glaze. Finished under the broiler, they’re a practical choice for a busy weeknight dinner or a simple meal when you want plenty of flavor without a long list of ingredients.
The seasoning blend combines garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and ground red pepper. These pantry spices coat the chicken with a warm, savory flavor before cooking. Honey and cider vinegar create the finishing glaze, adding sweetness and a little tang to balance the spices.
One of the best things about this recipe is its speed. The chicken is coated in the seasoning mixture and broiled for about five minutes per side before the honey glaze is brushed on. It then goes back under the broiler briefly to finish cooking and develop that glossy coating. Because broilers vary in intensity and chicken thighs vary in thickness, keep a close eye on the glaze to prevent excessive browning.
A broiler-safe roasting pan is useful for this recipe because it allows the chicken to cook under direct heat. Follow your oven manufacturer’s guidance for broiling, position the pan appropriately, and check that the thickest part of each thigh reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
You can adjust the heat to suit your preferences by reducing the ground red pepper for a milder result or increasing it slightly if you enjoy a spicier bite. For the best flavor, coat the chicken evenly and brush on the honey mixture as directed near the end of cooking.
Serve these spicy honey-brushed chicken thighs with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad to round out the meal. The sweet-and-spicy glaze also makes them a tasty addition to a casual dinner spread. With simple ingredients and a short cooking time, this recipe is an easy way to bring more flavor to everyday chicken.
Not what you are looking for? Try these other excellent chicken recipes: Vinegar-Braised Chicken and Onions, Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms or Braised Herbed Chicken.
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Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: :22
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- Cooking spray
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat. Place chicken on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Broil chicken 5 minutes on each side.
- Combine honey and vinegar in a small bowl, stirring well. Remove chicken from oven; brush 1/4 cup honey mixture on chicken. Broil 1 minute. Remove chicken from oven and turn over. Brush chicken with remaining honey mixture. Broil 1 additional minute or until chicken is done.
- Prep Time: :10
- Cook Time: :12
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Broiler