Description
A quick and easy recipe for crispy baked chicken thighs with a sweet and spicy honey hot sauce glaze that caramelizes perfectly for a flavorful, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (organic or free-range preferred)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 tablespoons honey (raw honey recommended)
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or preferred brand)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne powder for extra heat
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top if using.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it in evenly.
- Arrange the thighs skin-side up on the wire rack or directly on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not crowded.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- While the chicken bakes, mix the glaze by combining honey, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and brush the glaze generously over each thigh.
- Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
- Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes for extra crispiness, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Dry the chicken skin thoroughly before seasoning for best crispiness. Brush the glaze on during the last 8-10 minutes of baking to avoid burning the sugars. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before serving. Use a wire rack for crispier skin if available. Leftovers reheat best in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately one ch
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 25
Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, honey hot sauce glaze, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, quick dinner, comfort food