Description
Deliciously crispy and sticky sweet chili chicken thighs cooked to perfection with a flavorful glaze made from honey, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and aromatic ginger and garlic. This easy oven-baked recipe creates tender, juicy chicken with a perfectly caramelized skin, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for a delightful crunch and added freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Dry & Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for crispier skin. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Coat Chicken: Remove skillet from heat. Pour the sauce evenly over the seared chicken thighs, coating each piece well.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare Garnish: While chicken bakes, slice green onions and set aside.
- Finish & Garnish: Remove skillet from oven. Drizzle sesame oil over chicken. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top for flavor and texture.
- Rest & Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve warm with your favorite sides and enjoy the crispy, sticky sweet chili chicken thighs.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before searing ensures extra crispy skin.
- Using an ovenproof skillet allows seamless transfer from stovetop to oven without additional dishes.
- The cornstarch in the sauce helps thicken it during baking for the perfect sticky glaze.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
