Easy Honey Sriracha Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe – Sweet & Spicy

Honey sriracha glazed chicken thighs represent a tantalizing fusion of sweet and spicy flavors that dance across your palate.

Bold culinary enthusiasts seek out recipes promising complex taste profiles with minimal ingredient lists.

This remarkable dish revolutionizes ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal bursting with robust character.

Sophisticated marinades combine rich, golden sweetness with fiery chili undertones, creating a harmonious blend that elevates simple proteins.

Balanced seasonings penetrate deeply into tender meat, promising succulent results that tantalize taste buds.

Remarkable kitchen magic happens when carefully selected ingredients interact, producing something far greater than their individual components.

Adventurous home cooks can easily master this deceptively simple yet impressively flavorful recipe.

Why These Honey Sriracha Thighs Are a Flavor Bomb

• Ignite Bold Flavor Explosion: The honey sriracha glaze delivers a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes that dance across your taste buds with every single bite.
• Achieve Restaurant-Quality Crispiness: The technique of searing chicken thighs in a hot skillet creates an irresistibly golden, crispy exterior while keeping the meat incredibly juicy and tender inside.
• Whip Up Weeknight Gourmet Magic: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken thighs into a stunning dish in just 20 minutes, making it a lifesaver for busy home cooks who crave delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: The flexible glaze allows for personal heat adjustments by simply increasing or decreasing sriracha, ensuring everyone from spice lovers to mild-preference eaters can enjoy this mouthwatering chicken.

Ingredients That Make the Glaze So Addictive

Main Ingredients:

Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, preferably with good marbling for tender meat.

Honey: Natural sweetener that helps create a glossy, caramelized glaze with deep flavor complexity.

Sriracha: Spicy Thai chili sauce that adds heat and vibrant red color to the dish.

Sauce Ingredients:

Soy Sauce: Provides umami depth and saltiness to balance the sweet honey.

Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, aromatic flavor typical in Asian-inspired cuisine.

Garlic: Fresh cloves bring pungent, sharp flavor to enhance the overall sauce.

Ginger: Adds warm, slightly spicy note with bright, fresh undertones.

Garnish and Cooking Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for searing chicken with high smoke point.

Cilantro: Fresh herb for bright, herbal finish that cuts through rich glaze.

Green Onions: Adds mild onion flavor and crisp green color as a fresh topping.

Toasted Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual appeal to the finished dish.

How to Glaze Chicken Thighs Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare the Glorious Glaze

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Sriracha sauce
• Sesame oil
• Garlic
• Ginger

In a mixing bowl, whisk together all glaze ingredients until smooth. Add water and blend thoroughly. Set aside to let flavors mingle and develop.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Generously coat chicken thighs with additional sriracha sauce, massaging the spicy goodness into every crevice of the meat.

Step 3: Heat the Cooking Surface

Place a large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat. Pour vegetable oil and allow it to heat until it shimmers with culinary promise.

Step 4: Sear the Chicken

Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side up in the hot skillet. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until the bottom develops a beautiful golden-brown color. Flip the thighs and cook another 5 minutes, creating a crispy, enticing exterior.

Step 5: Simmer and Glaze

Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Partially cover the skillet and let the magic happen. Cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and bubble. Confirm chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Enjoy your flavor-packed Honey Sriracha Glazed Chicken Thighs!

Tips for the Sweet-Heat Balance Just Right

• Control Spice Levels: Adjust sriracha amount to match your heat tolerance, starting with less and adding gradually for perfect personalized flavor.
• Achieve Crispy Skin: Pat chicken thighs completely dry before cooking to guarantee a golden, crisp exterior that locks in delicious juices.
• Check Temperature Accuracy: Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F, preventing undercooked meat and guaranteeing food safety.
• Layer Flavor Depth: Let chicken marinate in sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance taste penetration and create more complex, rich results.
• Manage Sauce Consistency: Watch sauce carefully during final cooking stage, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and maintain perfect glaze thickness.

Keep Those Thighs Tender Even After Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Microwave Option: Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to avoid overcooking.

Perfect Pairings for Sriracha-Glazed Chicken

• Pair with Zesty Asian Slaw: Create a crisp, tangy coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil to complement the sweet and spicy chicken.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Prepare fluffy jasmine rice infused with green onions and a hint of ginger to soak up the delicious honey sriracha glaze.
• Match with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet Riesling wine that balances the chicken's spicy-sweet flavor profile, cutting through the richness while enhancing the meal's complexity.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Whip up a refreshing cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to provide a cool contrast to the hot chicken.

Flavor Variations to Keep Things Spicy

• Spicy Maple Chicken Crunch: Replace honey with pure maple syrup and add red pepper flakes for extra heat. Swap sesame seeds with chopped pecans for a nutty texture.
• Korean-Inspired Gochujang Chicken: Substitute sriracha with gochujang sauce, add rice vinegar for tanginess, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
• Caribbean Jerk Honey Chicken: Mix honey with jerk seasoning, add a splash of lime juice, and top with fresh chopped parsley instead of cilantro for a tropical flavor profile.
• Japanese Teriyaki Style Chicken: Use mirin and sake alongside soy sauce, reduce sriracha, and finish with a sprinkle of furikake seasoning for an authentic Japanese taste.

Honey Sriracha Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet honey sriracha glazed chicken thighs deliver a knockout punch of flavor from Korean and American culinary traditions. Bold marinades and caramelized edges promise a mouth-watering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Glaze Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sriracha, divided
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil

Aromatics and Garnish:

• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon finely minced ginger
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant glaze by whisking honey, soy sauce, sriracha, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl. Incorporate water to achieve a smooth, well-blended consistency.
2. Massage chicken thighs thoroughly with additional sriracha, ensuring an even, spicy coating on both sides.
3. Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, adding vegetable oil until it shimmers with anticipation.
4. Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side up in the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a rich, golden-brown crust for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Flip the thighs and continue cooking until the skin transforms into a crispy, caramelized surface.
6. Pour the prepared glaze over the chicken, partially covering the skillet to trap heat and moisture.
7. Simmer for roughly 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become gloriously bubbly. Verify doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
8. Transfer the glazed chicken to serving plates, drizzling any remaining sauce alongside the dish.
9. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds for a final flourish of flavor and texture.

Notes

• Create a fiery yet sweet glaze that perfectly balances spicy sriracha with smooth honey for a restaurant-quality chicken dish.
• Generously coat chicken thighs with additional sriracha before cooking to build layers of complex, bold flavor throughout the meat.
• Ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee juicy, tender meat without compromising food safety.
• Use a non-stick skillet to achieve golden, crispy skin without excessive sticking or oil residue.
• Finish the dish with fresh herbs and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and bright, aromatic garnish.
• Serve extra sauce on the side for those who crave more intense, tangy-sweet coating on their chicken.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg