Description
This Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs recipe features crispy, oven-baked chicken skin with a luscious sticky sweet chili glaze. The chicken is first seared on the stovetop for a golden crust, then finished in the oven with a flavorful sauce of honey, soy, garlic, ginger, and sweet chili, garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds for texture and a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Searing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Finishing Touches
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken later.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
- Make Sauce: While the chicken is cooking, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth.
- Add Sauce and Bake: Remove skillet from heat, pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken thighs. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish Preparation: While the chicken bakes, slice the green onions and set aside for garnish.
- Finish and Garnish: After baking, remove the skillet from the oven, drizzle sesame oil over the chicken, then sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving your delicious sticky sweet chili chicken thighs with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Searing the chicken skin first helps achieve extra crispy skin before baking.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- You can use boneless thighs but adjust baking time accordingly.
- For a spicier kick, add some chili flakes to the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables.
