Sticky Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken Thighs

Want to be the reason everyone forgets the burgers at the cookout? Make these. These sticky honey garlic grilled chicken thighs are that good. Sweet, savory, just the right amount of char, and ridiculously easy to pull off—even if you’re the “I just kinda wing it” type.

We’re talking about juicy, flavorful chicken with a glaze that gets slightly caramelized on the grill. Oh, and it smells like something you’d pay $25 for at a trendy food truck.

Why These Are Worth Your Grill Time

Let’s not overthink it: these thighs are juicy, hard to mess up, and soak up flavor like a sponge with commitment issues.

The honey gives it that sticky-sweet goodness. The garlic? Bold and punchy. Soy sauce and vinegar keep it balanced. And if you’re into that “sweet heat” vibe, red pepper flakes take it to the next level.

Bonus: no overnight marinade. We’re not planning a wedding here—this recipe’s ready when you are.

What You’ll Need

Yep, this is your shopping list (or fridge raid checklist):

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (go low-sodium if you’re watching salt)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (or just go wild, no one’s judging)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, but 🔥 IMO)

How to Make These Bad Boys

Let’s keep it simple—because you’re probably hungry already.

1. Make the marinade

In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Stir until it smells like something you’d bottle and sell.

2. Marinate the chicken

Toss the chicken thighs in a ziplock bag or bowl with the marinade. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. An hour is great. Overnight? Even better—but again, not required.

3. Fire up the grill

Preheat your grill to medium-high. Oil the grates unless you like scraping stuck skin like a caveman.

4. Grill ’em

Place the chicken skin-side down. Grill for about 6–7 minutes per side, flipping once. Keep the lid closed as much as possible to avoid flare-ups and get that perfect cook.

5. Glaze and char

In the last 2–3 minutes, brush on a little extra marinade for that sticky finish. Keep a close eye—honey burns faster than your hopes of becoming a grill master after one recipe.

6. Let it rest

Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before diving in. Use this time to stop drooling.

Swaps & Add-Ons

Wanna mix it up? Try these:

• Boneless thighs – Cook faster, still juicy.
• Add sesame oil to the marinade for a nutty twist.
• Top with chopped green onions or sesame seeds to make it fancy.
• Serve over rice or in a wrap if you’re feeling extra.

Common Rookie Mistakes

Avoid these and you’ll feel like a pro:

• Too much heat = burnt honey. Medium-high is the sweet spot.
• Skipping the oil on the grates. You’ll end up peeling chicken skin off with a spatula. Sad.
• Undercooked thighs. Use a thermometer—165°F is the magic number.

FAQs (Because You’re Gonna Ask Anyway)

Can I bake this instead of grilling?
Yep. 400°F for 35–40 minutes, but you’ll miss out on that smoky grill flavor. Just saying.

How long should I marinate them?
30 mins minimum, 2 hours is perfect, overnight if you remember. It’s forgiving.

Do I have to use thighs?
Yes. That’s the whole point. Other cuts don’t hit the same for this glaze.

Final Thoughts

So yeah, these sticky honey garlic grilled chicken thighs are easy, fast, and basically guaranteed to earn you compliments. Probably even followers if you post them on social.

Make them once and you’ll start finding excuses to fire up the grill more often. You’re welcome 🙂