Description

Honey Glazed Chicken Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs caramelized in a luscious honey glaze balanced with savory soy sauce, garlic, and lemon juice. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors with minimal ingredients, ideal for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Salt, to taste

Optional Ingredients

1–2 teaspoons fresh thyme or rosemary
Red chili flakes or cayenne pepper for spice (optional)
Maple syrup as a honey substitute (optional)
Sliced bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for added vegetables (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure they sear nicely, then season them lightly with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to build a well-rounded base flavor.
Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until each side is golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side, creating a perfect caramelized crust.
Make the glaze: Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and lemon juice directly into the skillet. Stir gently to combine while the mixture bubbles and thickens, coating the chicken beautifully.
Simmer and glaze: Let the chicken simmer in the glaze for about 5-7 minutes, flipping once to thoroughly coat both sides. This simmering step locks in the flavors and creates a sticky, irresistible sauce.
Finish and garnish: Once the glaze reaches a syrupy consistency, sprinkle fresh thyme or rosemary if using, then remove from heat. Serve hot for the best flavor and texture experience. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Patience with the sear: Don’t rush browning the chicken; a good crust seals in juices.
Use fresh garlic for the best aroma and depth of flavor.
Control glaze thickness by adjusting heat to avoid burning the honey—the glaze should be sticky, not bitter.
Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and better cooking results.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting to keep it juicy.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with glaze
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: honey glazed chicken, one-pan chicken, quick chicken dinner, savory and sweet chicken, skillet chicken, gluten free chicken recipe