Print

Savory Honey Balsamic Chicken Thighs Recipe with Crispy Skin Made Easy

honey balsamic chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

This quick and easy recipe features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs seared to crispy perfection and glazed with a sweet and tangy honey balsamic sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners, it balances rich flavors with a simple method.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey (raw or wildflower preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until smooth.
  3. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet in a single layer without overcrowding. Press down gently with tongs and cook undisturbed for 7-9 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs over and pour the honey balsamic glaze evenly over them. Add butter and fresh thyme sprigs to the pan. Spoon some glaze over the skin side as well.
  6. Reduce heat to medium and let the chicken simmer in the glaze for 12-15 minutes, spooning sauce over the thighs regularly, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove thyme sprigs. If glaze needs thickening, increase heat to medium-high and cook for 1-2 minutes more, swirling the pan to coat chicken evenly.
  8. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle any remaining glaze from the pan on top.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Spoon glaze often to keep chicken moist and build flavor layers. If desired, finish cooking in a 375°F (190°C) oven after searing for 5-7 minutes to keep skin crispy. For dairy-free, omit butter or substitute with coconut oil or vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey balsamic chicken thighs, crispy chicken skin, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, savory chicken, balsamic glaze, honey chicken

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/savory-honey-balsamic-chicken-thighs-recipe-with-crispy-skin-made-easy/