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Crispy Honey Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Easy Herb Glaze

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A quick and easy recipe featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked to crispy perfection with a sweet and tangy honey balsamic herb glaze. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup (85g) raw honey
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) aged balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon (15ml) for cooking
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt (about 1 teaspoon)
  • Black pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon)
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Butter for finishing glaze

Instructions

  1. Pat 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper on both sides.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and juice of half a lemon. Set aside.
  3. Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot pan. Press down lightly with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook without moving for 7-9 minutes until skin is deep golden-brown and crispy.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs and reduce heat to medium. Pour the herb glaze over the chicken, swirling it around the pan. Spoon glaze over the thighs occasionally as they cook for 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Remove chicken from pan and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and glaze to thicken slightly.
  7. Serve immediately, optionally drizzling any remaining glaze from the pan over the chicken.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Use medium-high heat for searing and reduce to medium when finishing glaze to prevent burning. Baste chicken with glaze during cooking. Rest chicken for 5 minutes before serving. For dairy-free, omit butter or use plant-based alternative. Glaze can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, honey balsamic chicken, crispy chicken, herb glaze, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/crispy-honey-balsamic-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-herb-glaze-dinner/