This honey garlic chicken is sweet and sticky, perfectly paired with soft, warm sweet potatoes. It’s a delicious dish that makes your taste buds dance!
I love serving this with a sprinkle of green onions for a pop of color. Plus, it’s healthy and keeps well for leftovers—if you can resist finishing it all in one sitting!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe as they stay juicy while cooking. If you prefer, you can use boneless thighs or breasts, but adjust the cooking time since they cook faster.
Sweet Potatoes: These bring a natural sweetness and a tender texture when roasted. If you have Yukon Gold or red potatoes on hand, you can substitute them, but keep the cooking time in mind as they may require a bit longer to become tender.
Honey: This is the star for that sticky glaze! If you’re looking for a healthier option, agave syrup or maple syrup can work, but the flavor will vary slightly. I personally love using local honey for an extra kick of flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds a punchy flavor. If you don’t have fresh garlic, garlic powder can work in a pinch—about 1 teaspoon should suffice.
Olive Oil: It helps to crisp the chicken skin. You can use other oils like canola or avocado oil, but avoid using butter here, as it can burn at high temperatures.
How Do You Get the Chicken Skin Crispy?
Achieving crispy chicken skin is all about the searing process. Start by heating your skillet well—this helps render the fat and create that golden crust. Here’s how:
- Heat your skillet over medium-high heat before adding oil. Wait until the oil shimmers.
- Once you add the chicken, don’t move it around for the first few minutes. Let it sear and develop that crust.
- Check the skin after 5-7 minutes; it should release easily from the pan when ready to flip.
Getting a nice sear is key to a perfectly crispy skin and enhances the overall flavor of your dish!
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken And Sweet Potato
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Chicken and Sweet Potatoes:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
For The Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
For Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious dish will take about 10 minutes to prepare and 25-30 minutes to cook in the oven, for a total of around 40 minutes until ready to enjoy. Perfect for a quick weekday dinner or for impressing guests on the weekend!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, get your oven ready! Preheat it to 400°F (200°C) while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix everything together well to create a tasty honey garlic sauce.
3. Season the Chicken:
Generously season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and dried thyme if you’re using it. This adds flavor to the chicken.
4. Sear the Chicken:
In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for another 3 minutes. This step gives the chicken a delicious flavor!
5. Add the Sweet Potatoes:
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Now, add the cubed sweet potatoes to the skillet. Lightly season them with salt and pepper, and toss to coat them in the tasty pan juices.
6. Combine Everything:
Place the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, making sure they’re skin-side up on top of the sweet potatoes. Drizzle the honey garlic sauce evenly over both the chicken and the sweet potatoes.
7. Bake:
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the sweet potatoes are nice and tender.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Once everything is cooked, carefully take the skillet out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your deliciously sticky, sweet, and savory Honey Garlic Chicken with tender roasted sweet potatoes!
Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs Instead?
Yes, you can substitute boneless chicken thighs! Just reduce the cooking time to about 20-25 minutes, as boneless cuts cook faster.
What If I Don’t Have Soy Sauce?
If you’re out of soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative. Both will give you a similar flavor profile!
How Can I Store Leftover Honey Garlic Chicken?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to keep it moist.
Can I Add Vegetables to This Dish?
Absolutely! Feel free to add vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or carrots. Just be sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces and add them to the skillet alongside the sweet potatoes for even cooking.
