BBQ-Spiced Chicken Thighs with Tangy Honey Glaze

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You can make these flavor-packed, BBQ-spiced chicken thighs in under 30 minutes!

Barbeque-spiced chicken thighs with tangy honey glaze on a plate.

Inspired by one of the most popular Cooking Light recipes, these BBQ-spiced chicken thighs are a huge family pleaser and super-easy to prepare. The chicken is seasoned with a Southwestern rub, broiled for 10 minutes, brushed with an apple cider vinegar-honey glaze, and then flashed under the broiler again until caramelized and juicy. Finally, the chicken is doused with a bit more vinegar to balance the sweetness of the honey and also create a delicious pan sauce.

Start to finish, the recipe takes under 30 minutes! (In case you’re wondering, this recipe will work on the grill, but you’ll definitely miss those tasty pan juices for spooning over the chicken.) Serve the chicken thighs with any simple corn dish: corn on the cob, spoon bread, cornbread, or corn salad, to name just a few.

“Super Easy! Super Quick! Super Yummy! A winner on all fronts! Thank you!”

Kathy

What You’ll Need To Make BBQ-Spiced Chicken Thighs With Tangy Honey Glaze

ingredients to make bbq-spiced chicken thighs with tangy honey glaze

It’s important to use boneless, skinless thighs as opposed to chicken breasts. They stand up better to the bold seasonings, are more flavorful, and won’t dry out. Just be sure to trim off most of the fat; I like to use kitchen shears as opposed to a knife, as it’s much easier.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To begin, combine the olive oil and spices in a large bowl.

olive oil and spices in a large bowl

Whisk to combine.

whisked oil and spices

Add the chicken thighs and toss with the spice rub to coat evenly.

tossing the chicken thighs with the spice rub

Arrange the chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up.

chicken thighs on foil-lined baking sheet

Broil for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Barbeque-spiced chicken thighs on a lined baking sheet.

Meanwhile, combine the honey and cider vinegar in a small bowl to make the glaze.

tangy honey glaze in a small bowl with a fork

Brush the cooked chicken with half the glaze, then broil for 1 to 2 minutes.

brushing the chicken thighs with the glaze

Flip the chicken over, brush with the remaining glaze, and broil for a few minutes more until the chicken is nicely caramelized.

broiled chicken thighs with pan sauces

Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining cider vinegar and serve with the pan sauces.

Barbeque-spiced chicken thighs with tangy honey glaze on a plate.

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BBQ-Spiced Chicken Thighs with Tangy Honey Glaze

You can make these flavor-packed, BBQ-spiced chicken thighs in under 30 minutes!

Servings: 4-6
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 1½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 1¼ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2½ lbs), trimmed of fat

For the Tangy Honey Glaze

  • 5 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar, divided

Instructions

  1. Set an oven rack in the top position and preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Arrange the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Broil the chicken for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
  4. While the chicken is in the oven, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk the honey with 1 tablespoon of the vinegar.
  5. Remove the pan from the oven and brush half of the glaze on the chicken; broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until nicely browned. Remove the pan from the oven and turn the chicken thighs over; brush with the remaining honey glaze and broil for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the exterior of the chicken is caramelized. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar. Transfer the chicken and pan juices to a platter and serve.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (4 servings)
  • Serving size: 2 thighs
  • Calories: 321
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated fat: 2g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Sugar: 26g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Cholesterol: 130mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

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Comments

  • I love this quick and easy recipe – I used bone in ,skin on and baked at 350 for about 25 min before quickly broiling and basting served with rice and a tomato, corn, cilantro, avocado, red onion salad with lime dressing
    Totally yummy

  • Loved it! Another great recipe – Jenn’s recipes never fail and are always become a repeat. thank you Jenn!

  • I have been making this recipe for 2-3 years now, and it’s been my go-to for a quick, fool-proof, and easy dinner. As long as you stick loosely to the proportions and follow the timing, you get the most delicious and juicy chicken thighs. Thank you, Jenn!

  • Hey Jen,
    I’m making this tomorrow. Do you think it would be okay if I marinated the chicken in the morning before work?
    Thanks.

    • Definitely — Hope you enjoy!

  • Forgot to rate this fantastic recipe.

  • This was so delicious and unbelievably quick. I followed the recipe exactly. Wouldn’t change a thing. Preordered your cookbook cannot wait to try something new.

    • ❤️Hope you enjoy the book, Teresa!

  • I’ve made this a few times now and enjoy it better than pretty much any other oven thighs recipe. I keep forgetting to ask what oven temp you set the broiler to.

    Have had your new book on pre-order and looking forward to it.

    • Hi Kev, I set mine to high which is about 550°F. Hope you enjoy the cookbook!

  • What a great recipe, Jen! Thanks so much for sharing this. It was delicious and easy to do on a worknight even after a long commute. I’m cautious about broiling since it’s easy to burn food. Your cook times were spot on for 550 degrees and the chicken turned out fantastic. Loved the honey-ACV glaze. This is a winner!

  • Thanks, Jen. Loved this recipe. It’s perfectly balanced on flavor and the best part is it’s so easy and quick (even using bone-in thighs). I had some leftovers and ate it cold for lunch the next day. It was equally delicious and would be terrific on salad. Can’t wait to make it again.

  • Very easy to make and lots of flavor (love the cumin)! Thanks for another great recipe.

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