Save Succulent oven-baked chicken thighs glazed in a sticky honey BBQ sauce served with creamy garlic mashed potatoes for a comforting and flavorful meal.
This recipe has become a weeknight favorite in my home because of how easy it is to prepare while tasting like something special. It brings together classic flavors in a way that always pleases a crowd.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
- Smoked Paprika: 1 tsp
- Garlic Powder: 1 tsp
- Onion Powder: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Black Pepper: 1/2 tsp
- BBQ Sauce: 1/2 cup (gluten-free if needed)
- Honey: 3 tbsp
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tbsp
- Dijon Mustard: 1 tsp
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: 2 lbs (peeled and cut into chunks)
- Garlic Cloves: 4 (peeled)
- Whole Milk: 1/2 cup warmed (or dairy-free alternative)
- Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Black Pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Fresh Chives: 2 tbsp chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Season Chicken:
- Pat chicken thighs dry. Mix olive oil smoked paprika garlic powder onion powder salt and black pepper. Rub over chicken thighs.
- Bake Chicken:
- Arrange chicken on baking sheet skin side up. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Make Honey BBQ Sauce:
- Whisk BBQ sauce honey apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard in a bowl.
- Glaze Chicken:
- Brush chicken with sauce and bake 15 minutes more until cooked through (165°F/74°C) and caramelized.
- Cook Potatoes:
- Place potatoes and garlic in a pot with cold salted water. Boil until fork-tender 15-18 minutes.
- Mash Potatoes:
- Drain and return potatoes and garlic to pot. Add milk butter salt and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. Stir in chives if using.
- Serve:
- Plate honey BBQ chicken thighs with mashed potatoes and enjoy hot.
Save My kids always ask for seconds whenever I serve this dinner and we love adding steamed green beans or a bright coleslaw for a family feast.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with simple steamed green beans a fresh salad or coleslaw. The flavors work well with many classic sides.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use drumsticks or boneless chicken if preferred adjusting the cooking time accordingly. For dairy-free options swap milk and butter with unsweetened almond milk and olive oil.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has about 520 calories with 25 g fat 44 g carbohydrates and 31 g protein.
Save This meal is pure comfort food and perfect for any night of the week. Leftovers are delicious for lunch the next day.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I ensure the chicken thighs stay juicy?
Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and bake skin-side up to crisp the skin and lock in moisture. Brushing with honey BBQ sauce halfway through baking adds flavor and keeps the meat tender.
- → Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead?
Yes, boneless thighs can be used, but adjust cooking time slightly since they cook faster. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure doneness.
- → What type of potatoes are best for creamy garlic mashed potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for their buttery flavor and creamy texture when mashed, making them perfect companions to garlic and butter.
- → How can I make the BBQ sauce gluten-free?
Choose a gluten-free BBQ sauce brand or prepare your own using gluten-free ingredients, ensuring no gluten-containing additives are included.
- → Is there a way to add extra smoky flavor to the chicken?
After baking, quickly grilling the chicken thighs adds a smoky char. Adding smoked paprika to the seasoning further enhances the flavor profile.