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Easy Honey Dijon Chicken Thighs

Cooked chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.

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5 from 15 reviews

Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned and pan-fried until golden and crisp.  They’re transferred to the oven, brushed with a sweet and savory honey Dijon sauce, and roasted until cooked through.  You don’t want to miss this easy and flavorful family dinner recipe!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs - About 4 thighs
  • 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt - divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 large garlic clove - minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425° Fahrenheit.  
  2. Pat both sides of the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the chicken thighs with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. 
  3. Oil a cast iron skillet (or another oven-safe skillet) with olive oil and warm over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken thighs to the cast iron skillet skin side down. 
  4. Sear the chicken skin for 5 minutes over medium heat.  Do not overcrowd the pan.  Sear your chicken thighs in separate batches if they do not easily fit into the skillet.  The chicken is ready to flip when the skin easily releases from the pan and has turned golden brown.  
  5. Flip the chicken over and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.  Roast for 10 minutes. 
  6. While the chicken thighs are roasting, mix the honey Dijon sauce.  Using a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. 
  7. After 10 minutes, brush the tops of the chicken thighs (skin side) with the honey Dijon sauce. Return the skillet to the oven and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes. 
  8. Remove the skillet from the oven. Check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs using a digital meat thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165° Fahrenheit.  Let cool before serving.  Enjoy!

Notes

  • When searing the chicken skin, the chicken will produce A LOT of fat.  The grease will be hot and sizzling and can easily burn your skin.  I recommend using a splatter screen if you have one.  
  • All of your chicken thighs should fit into your skillet after you have browned the skin. The chicken thighs shrink slightly during browning and they can be crowded into the pan once they are ready to go into the oven.
  • This recipe will serve 2-4 people.   Scale up this recipe based on how many chicken thighs you would like to serve. 

Nutrition