• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Main Course
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dips and Appetizers
    • Low Carb and Keto
  • Kitchen Product Reviews
  • This for That
My Kitchen Serenity
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Main Course
  • Side Dishes
  • Desserts
  • Dips and Appetizers
  • Low Carb and Keto
  • Ingredient Substitutions
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • About
  • ×

    Home » Main Course » Honey Ginger Chicken

    Honey Ginger Chicken

    Published: Nov 29, 2022 by Anne Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest Pin honey garlic sesame soy chicken thighs

    This super easy, oven baked honey ginger chicken is made with bone-in chicken thighs for the juiciest flavor!  But the sweet and savory garlic soy marinade is the star of this dinner show!

    Chicken thighs are marinated in ready-made ginger paste, honey, low sodium soy sauce, lots of fresh garlic, sesame seed oil, and avocado oil. Oven-baked, tender, juicy, and flavorful.

    For the best flavor experience, marinate the chicken thighs overnight!

    Baked chicken thigh and white steamed rice on white place with broccoli in background.
    Honey ginger chicken thighs go great with all kinds of side dishes - especially rice and steamed broccoli.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • What Goes In This
    • How to Make It
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Expert Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Why You'll Love This

    If you're looking for amazing, flavorful, honey-baked chicken thighs - stop right now, you've found the best!

    These easy, honey ginger chicken thighs start with a marinade made with honey, low sodium soy sauce, lots of fresh garlic, sesame seed and avocado oils, seasonings, and of course, sesame seeds.

    I recommend marinating the chicken at least 30 minutes before baking.  If you can spare a few hours for it to marinate, then that's even better. Overnight works great, too.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • The best marinade! These honey garlic ginger chicken thighs are sweet and finger-licking sticky!  The whole family will love this chicken.  If you have a large family, go ahead and double the recipe.  
    • Meal Prep! Leftovers are particularly great the next day; making tomorrow's meal prep a breeze!
    • Juicy and Tender! Bone-in, skin-on chicken has more flavor and is juicier.  You can always pull the skin off after baking the chicken if you don't want to eat it.

    What Goes In This

    These chicken thighs are so juicy and flavorful thanks to the marinade ingredients!

    Raw chicken thighs and marinade ingredients measured out in bowls on counter top.
    Honey-baked chicken thighs get their delicious flavor from 7 simple ingredients.

    The marinade is the key to perfectly flavored chicken, so try not to substitute any of its ingredients, if possible.

    Honey - use store-bought or buy local honey from your farmer's market.

    Low sodium soy sauce - use your favorite kind of soy sauce (or coconut aminos or tamari).

    Avocado oil - use olive oil if you can't find avocado oil.

    Garlic - my favorite is the kind you buy in the jar, that's already minced.  It's super convenient.  Use fresh garlic if you prefer.

    White vinegar - a common ingredient in Asian recipes, vinegar adds a little bit of zing.

    Sesame oil - this oil is essential to this recipe so don't leave it out.  Its nutty flavor adds to the Asian flair of this recipe.  

    Ground ginger - I recommend the ginger paste in your fresh produce section.  There is no waste and it's handy to use again for your next recipe that calls for ginger.

    Chicken thighs - for best results, use bone-in, skin-on.  If you use boneless, skinless thighs you'll need to reduce the cooking time!

    Black pepper - fresh ground is more flavorful, but use regular pepper if that's all you have.

    Red pepper flakes - optional!  Add a teaspoon to the marinade for a spicy kick.

    How to Make It

    For best results, marinate the chicken thighs for at least 2-3 hours before baking (overnight is best).

    Photo collage of marinade in bowl, chicken in ziplock bag, chicken in baking dish, baked chicken in dish.
    1. Make the honey ginger garlic sauce:  Add honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, avocado oil, vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger to a small bowl. Stir well with a whisk to combine.
    2. Marinate:  Put the chicken thighs in a large Ziplock bag. Pour the marinade into the bag, release excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (preferably for 2-3 hours).
    3. Place chicken in casserole dish:  After the chicken has marinated, preheat your oven to 425 F.  Remove the thighs from the Ziplock bag and place them in a 2-quart baking dish. Pour the marinade on top of the thighs and sprinkle with pepper. 
    4. Bake then broil:  Bake for 35 minutes, flipping the chicken twice to keep it juicy in the glaze. Set the oven to broil and allow the chicken to bake for an additional 5 minutes.
    5. Remove from oven.  Let rest 5 minutes.  Serve warm with a spoonful of the sauce poured over the top. Garnish with parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead?

    Yes, no problem!  Bake at 350F for about 25 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.

    Can I make honey ginger chicken the night before?

    Yes, you can make the marinade the night before and let the chicken marinate in it overnight.  Baked as directed. P.S. the chicken will be extra flavorful when marinating overnight!

    What goes with baked honey chicken thighs?

    Serve with cooked white rice, fried rice, side salad, or broccoli.  My roasted parmesan potatoes would pair nicely with this chicken.

    Expert Tips

    My top recipe tips for honey ginger chicken!

    • This recipe makes 5-6 servings.  Double the recipe for a larger crowd or if you want to have leftovers for another meal.
    • If you find yourself out of honey or want a vegan or dietary alternative, rest easy because there are many great options for you to substitute for honey.
    • Store any leftover honey-baked chicken thighs in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids.  Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.

    Looking for another recipe for honey chicken? Check out my Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. It has a few more ingredients and is conveniently made in a slow cooker.

    Baked honey chicken thigh and white rice on a white plate.
    The longer you marinate the chicken thighs, the better they taste! Aim for overnight marinating.

    Related Recipes

    • Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
    • Cajun Butter Chicken
    • Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Foil Packets with Asparagus
    • Easy Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas

    If you tried this recipe, please rate it and leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

    Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook for delicious recipe ideas!

    If you’d like some recipe inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter on my subscribe page.

    Recipe

    baked chicken thigh and white steamed rice on white place with broccoli in background

    Honey Ginger Chicken

    If you're looking for a flavorful chicken thigh recipe, then you've found it!  These tasty baked honey chicken thighs are kid-approved so the whole family will love them.  The garlic soy chicken marinade is the star of this dinner show!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin For Later Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Chinese
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Marinate Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 395kcal
    Author: Anne Clark

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup honey
    • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 2 pounds bone-in skin on chicken thighs
    • pepper to taste
    • parsley and sesame seeds for garnish

    Instructions

    • Add honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, avocado oil, vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger to a small bowl. Stir well with a whisk to combine.
    • Put the chicken thighs in a large ziplock bag. Pour the marinade into the bag, release excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (preferably for 2-3 hours).
    • After the chicken has marinated, preheat your oven to 425 F.  Remove the thighs from the ziplock bag and place them in a 2-quart baking dish.
    • Pour the marinade on top of the thighs and sprinkle with pepper.  Bake for 35 minutes, flipping the chicken twice to keep it juicy in the sauce. Set the oven to broil and allow the chicken to bake for an additional 5 minutes. (Chicken thighs should be fully cooked or until they reach 165F on a food thermometer).
    • Remove from oven.  Let rest 5 minutes.  Serve warm with a spoonful of the sauce poured over the top. Garnish with parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.

    Notes

    Side Dishes to Enjoy with honey garlic ginger chicken
    Serve with white rice, side salad, or green beans.  My roasted parmesan potatoes would compliment this chicken nicely.
    Storage/Shelf Life/Reheating
    Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.  Reheat in the microwave at 50% power until warmed through.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mykitchenserenity or tag #mykitchenserenity on Instagram!!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.

    This honey-baked chicken thighs recipe was originally published in 2021 and was updated in 2022.

    « Easy Cajun Hoppin John
    15 Bean Slow Cooker Soup »

    About Anne Clark

    Hi! I'm Anne, the founder and content creator at My Kitchen Serenity, a food blog focused on serving the needs of busy moms and dads who are looking for easy and delicious recipes for the family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Butch

      September 25, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      First off, thanks for the recipe! I am just a [email protected]$$ man and I need a good recipe to make me look good. I have been looking for something different as we love chicken thighs. The marinade is AWESOME. I put it in the fridge for 6 hours too. When I showed this recipe to my wife (the greatest cook in the world he says without any bias) the first thing she said was it was not long enough or hot enough. The internal chicken temperature was 125 degrees at 30 min on 325 degrees. Chicken is supposed to be 165 degrees when served or you risk Salmonella food poisoning. I recommend 350 degrees for 45 minutes and then follow it up with the 5 minute broil. If you want that is. I did! Do turn it every 10 min. though to keep it juicy. If you use a larger pan you can add your favorite vegetables, like onion, mushrooms, and yellow squash.

      Reply
      • Anne Clark

        September 27, 2021 at 12:12 pm

        Thanks, Butch! That oven temp was most definitely a typo. I have corrected my recipe post and recipe card. I'm so glad you liked the marinade 🙂 Definitely the longer it marinates, the better. I hope the recipe made you "look good"! Have a great week!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Profile picture pose outside in front of tall brown grass in lavender floral blouse

    Hi. I’m Anne and I’m happy to share with you my easy, family-friendly recipes. I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, and what I’ve learned is that most busy families appreciate easy homemade meals. Now that the kids are grown, my passion is creating and sharing flavorful food for you and your family to enjoy as well. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] 

    I’d love to hear from you!

    Recently Updated

    • Irish Nachos
    • Keto Cauliflower Soup
    • Broccoli Bacon Salad
    • Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Homemade Cornbread Dressing
    • Easy Chocolate Chess Pie
    • Southern Mac and Cheese Baked
    • Easy Apricot Nectar Cake with Glaze
    • Creamy, Cheesy Southern Cabbage Casserole
    • Keto Pumpkin Bars with Candied Pecan Topping

    Popular Recipes

    • How to Cook Brats in the Oven
    • Southern Baked Beans
    • Easy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
    • Easy Banana Nut Muffins Recipe
    • Easy BLT Dip with Cream Cheese
    • Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Cajun Favorites

    • Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
    • Easy Red Beans and Rice with Sausage
    • Cajun Butter Chicken
    • Easy Shrimp and Rice Casserole
    • Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp Cajun Sauce
    • Easy Keto Jambalaya Recipe

    Footer

    collage of all featured articles

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Privacy

    • Privacy Policy and Disclosure
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    65 shares