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Crispy Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

crispy honey glazed grilled chicken thighs - featured image
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A flavorful and easy grilled chicken thigh recipe featuring a sticky honey glaze infused with fresh thyme, delivering crispy skin and a perfect balance of sweet and herbal notes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 lbs / 1.4 kg)
  • ⅓ cup honey (about 113 g), preferably mild floral variety like clover or wildflower
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing and grilling)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help skin crisp.
  2. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, fresh thyme leaves, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon olive oil until combined. Set aside.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook for about 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Avoid moving them too soon.
  6. Flip the chicken and grill the other side for 5 minutes.
  7. Brush the honey glaze generously on the skin side. Flip again and brush the other side. Continue grilling for another 3-4 minutes, turning and glazing one last time to build a sticky, crispy coating. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If needed, move chicken to indirect heat and cover for a few minutes.
  9. Remove from heat and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5-7 minutes to lock in juices.
  10. Serve garnished with additional fresh thyme sprigs.

Notes

Keep a spray bottle of water handy for flare-ups when the honey glaze hits the fire. Pat chicken dry thoroughly before seasoning to ensure crispy skin. Apply glaze gradually in layers during the last minutes of grilling to avoid burning. Let chicken rest after grilling for juicier meat. If using dried thyme, reduce quantity by half to avoid bitterness. For oven baking, cook at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, glazing halfway through.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, honey glazed chicken, crispy chicken, summer barbecue, fresh thyme, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/crispy-honey-glazed-grilled-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-perfect-flavor/