There’s something incredibly comforting about juicy chicken thighs glazed in a sticky, sweet, and garlicky sauce, all roasted together on one sheet pan. That’s exactly why this Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe has become my absolute go-to for easy weeknights and meal preps alike.

A white bowl filled with a layer of fluffy white rice at the bottom, topped with two large pieces of golden-brown glazed chicken covered in a shiny, sticky sauce with visible bits of garlic. The chicken pieces are garnished with bright green sliced scallions and fresh cilantro leaves spread across the dish. A silver fork rests inside the bowl touching the rice on one side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a few sprigs of cilantro scattered nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly a fan of anything that can give me big flavor without needing a ton of fuss. This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe fits the bill perfectly. You get tender, perfectly cooked chicken with a sticky, punchy sauce and a whole dinner with minimal cleanup.

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks together on one tray, which saves you time and effort in the kitchen (hello, less cleanup!).
Balanced Flavor: The mix of honey’s sweetness and garlic’s pungency, with just a hint of tang from apple cider vinegar, makes every bite irresistible.
Meal Prep Friendly: It reheats beautifully and keeps well, so you can plan ahead without any stress.
Customizable: You can easily swap veggies or switch up garnishes to keep things fresh week after week.

A white bowl filled with a base layer of fluffy white rice, topped with three pieces of golden-brown chicken glazed with a shiny, dark amber sauce. The chicken pieces are garnished with bright green sliced scallions and fresh cilantro leaves scattered on top and around the dish. The bowl sits on a light gray linen napkin, with a silver fork placed next to it. In the background, there is a white marbled surface supporting a plate with lime wedges and more sliced scallions, along with a clear textured glass of water. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here is chosen for flavor and simplicity. The richness of chicken thighs combined with the sweet and savory honey garlic sauce is unbeatable. Plus, these pantry-friendly items often mean you’re just a quick trip away from dinner perfection.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken thighs with skin, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, another small white ceramic bowl filled with rich amber tamari sauce, four peeled garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of clear pale yellow avocado oil, a small white ceramic bowl of light amber apple cider vinegar, a small pile of vibrant red paprika powder, a small heap of fine beige onion powder, a bowl of cooked white rice, finely sliced bright green onions, a handful of fresh green cilantro leaves, and a halved lime with bright green flesh placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken thighs: Juicy and forgiving, they stay tender and soak up the honey garlic glaze perfectly.
Avocado oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, ideal for roasting without burning the sauce.
Honey: Adds a luscious sweetness and helps create that irresistible caramelized glaze.
Tamari: Brings a deep, savory umami note; a great soy sauce alternative if you want gluten-free.
Garlic (minced): The foundation of the sauce’s flavor — fresh garlic never disappoints here.
Apple cider vinegar: A subtle tang that balances the sweetness and adds brightness.
Paprika and onion powder: These spices add warmth and a subtle smokiness, rounding out the flavor profile.
Prepared rice: Acts as a simple, comforting bed that soaks up all the honey garlic goodness.
Green onions and fresh cilantro: These fresh herbs bring color, freshness, and a little zing on top.
Fresh lime juice: A quick squeeze at the end lifts the entire dish with vibrant citrus notes.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often swap cilantro for parsley or add diced bell peppers and snap peas right on the pan to roast alongside the chicken.

Variation: For a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the marinade — it adds a lovely heat without overpowering the honey’s sweetness.
Dietary swaps: Use coconut aminos instead of tamari for a soy-free version that still delivers flavor.
Seasonal changes: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice in summer for a lighter dish or add roasted root vegetables in fall.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together your magic sauce

I start by mixing avocado oil, honey, tamari, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, paprika, and onion powder in a small bowl. Use a whisk or fork to get everything nicely combined — this glaze is where the flavor magic begins, so take a sec to give it a good stir.

Step 2: Marinate your chicken thighs

Take the chicken thighs out of the fridge and toss them in a bowl or a Ziploc bag (Ziploc gets my vote for less mess!). Pour the marinade over, seal it up, and give it a good massage to coat every bit of the chicken. Then let it sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature — this step helps the chicken soak up the flavors and starts the meat cooking evenly when it hits the oven.

Step 3: Roast that chicken to perfection

Preheat your oven to 400°F while the chicken marines. Then, lay the chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them — you want that golden caramelized glaze but not burnt spots. They’ll come out juicy with crispy edges.

Step 4: Thicken the sauce

While the chicken roasts, pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and stir frequently for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops that sticky glaze consistency. This step boosts flavor and makes the sauce cling beautifully to each bite.

Step 5: Serve and garnish

Plate the chicken thighs over a bed of prepared rice, then ladle that thickened honey garlic sauce over the top generously. A handful of sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, and a spritz of lime juice on top add brightness and freshness that really elevate the dish.

Top Tip

After making this dish dozens of times, I’ve learned a few handy tricks to ensure you nail this Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe every time.

Don’t skip the marinade time: Even 20 minutes makes a huge difference in flavor absorption and chicken tenderness.
Use parchment paper: It saves your baking sheet and makes cleanup a breeze—trust me, I’ve dealt with sticky glaze disasters before!
Simmer the marinade sauce gently: High heat can burn the sugars in the honey, so keep it low and stir often for that perfect sticky finish.
Let chicken rest briefly after roasting: This keeps the juices locked in for a juicy, tender bite.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top mine with thinly sliced green onions and a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro for color and fresh flavor. A quick squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving adds that bright zing that makes the dish pop — don’t skip this part!

Side Dishes

Besides the trusty bed of steamed rice, I’ve served this with simple stir-fried greens like bok choy or sautéed snap peas. Roasted broccoli or a light cucumber salad also make excellent, crunchy contrasts that balance the dish perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, arrange the chicken thighs on a large platter with the rice molded using a small bowl or ramekin for neat servings. Add edible flowers or extra fresh herbs for a colorful, elegant touch that will wow your guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover chicken and rice in airtight containers in the fridge, and it generally stays fresh for 3-4 days. The chicken still tastes tender when reheated gently, and the sauce keeps things moist so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

Freezing works well too! I separate leftovers into meal-sized portions and freeze them flat in freezer bags. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for an easy, stress-free meal on a busy day.

Reheating

I prefer reheating this dish in the oven at 300°F covered with foil to keep the chicken moist and avoid drying it out. The stovetop works great too — just warm gently in a pan, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs will cook a bit faster and are easier to eat without bones, but the flavor and texture hold up just as well in this sheet pan dinner. Just adjust baking time by a few minutes and keep an eye on doneness.

What can I substitute for tamari?

If you don’t have tamari or prefer gluten-free, coconut aminos make a great substitute and give a lovely slightly sweet soy flavor. Regular soy sauce works too if gluten isn’t a concern.

Can I add vegetables to the sheet pan?

Definitely! Vegetables like baby potatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, or green beans roast beautifully alongside the chicken. Just cut them into uniform pieces so they cook evenly and toss them lightly with a drizzle of oil before adding to the sheet pan.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

The safest bet is to use a meat thermometer; chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. They’ll also be nicely caramelized on the outside and feel firm but juicy when pressed.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe has become one of those dishes I reach for over and over because it checks all the boxes — flavorful, easy, and comforting. I hope you love making it as much as I do; it’s like having a restaurant-quality meal with zero stress. Trust me, once you try it, this quick sheet pan dinner will be a regular on your weeknight rotation!