Honey chilli chicken recipe
Chicken thighs are an inexpensive and versatile meat that can be enjoyed as part of various meals. This easy and delicious honey chilli chicken recipe will add bags of flavour to the chicken and will work equally as well as part of a full roast dinner, or a simpler meal with peas and chips. I always use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe as I find they give the best flavour, moisture and texture.
To make this honey chilli chicken recipe, you will need:
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4 Chicken Thighs
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2 Tablespoons of Honey
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3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
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1 Teaspoon of Chilli Flakes
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4 teaspoons of Garlic Puree
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Sea Salt
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Black Pepper
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1 Fresh Chilli or Fresh Rosemary (optional)
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A Small Bowl
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A Small Roasting Tin
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Kitchen Foil
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A Digital Meat Thermometer
Time to prepare and roast: 50-60 mins.
1: Get the oven nice and hot!
Set the oven to gas mark 6 or 200C, if you have an electric fan oven then lower it down to180C. The oven should have plenty of time to pre-heat while you prepare your chicken.
2: Get your roasting tin prepared.
Line your roasting tin with kitchen foil and drizzle a little oil over the bottom. If you have flavoured oil feel free to use that. I used chilli and garlic infused olive oil to add even more flavour, but a regular olive oil or vegetable will work just fine too. Once the roasting tin is ready pop it straight into the oven on the middle shelf. We want the tin and oil to get nice and hot before we put the chicken in.
3: Next prepare the chicken.
First give the chicken thighs a good pat down with some kitchen paper, this will remove any excess moisture and allow the skin to crisp up fully in the oven. Cover the thighs in a generous amount of salt and pepper. Put a couple of slashes in the top of the skin and push a teaspoon of garlic puree under the skin of each chicken thigh. There's no need to rush this part as we want to give the roasting tin enough time to get hot.
4: Roasting part 1.
Remove the roasting tin from the oven, it should be nice and hot. Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the tin and roast in the centre of the oven. Set your timer for 25 minutes, which gives us plenty of time to get the next part of the recipe prepared.
5: Combine the honey glaze ingredients.
While the thighs are in the oven, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of honey and a teaspoon of chilli flakes to your small bowl. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper too if you like. Give that a little mix around with a spoon. There's no need to worry about it too much or to get the oil and honey fully blended. Set this aside for now, we'll be using it to cover the chicken later.
6: Glaze your chicken thighs.
After the first 25 minutes cooking time, take your chicken out of the oven and using some tongs, flip them over in the roasting tin. Take your glaze and spoon the sticky mixture over the top of the chicken thighs, you can spread it around a little with the back of the spoon but there's no need to be too careful as it will slowly run all over the chicken when you put it back in the oven. I tend to just dump most of it on the top of the thigh and let the heat and gravity take care of it.
7: Roasting Part 2.
Return the your chicken to the middle shelf and roast for a further 20 minutes. They should be crispy, just starting to brown and look slightly barbecued on top. You want the internal temperature of the chicken to reach at least 74 degrees centigrade, if they are under this you should return for another 5 minutes and check again. These skin-on boned thighs are very juicy and tender, so you won't really have to worry about drying them out by over-cooking, so up to 85 degrees is fine in my experience. Better to be over than under.
I always use a meat thermometer when cooking any kind of poultry and I would highly recommend using one. If you don't have one I would recommend buying the best digital one you can afford as some of the cheaper ones don't work well and can lead to frustration trying to get an accurate reading of the meat temperature. You can find decent ones for around £20, which if you cook meat regularly, is well worth the initial cost.
8: Remove from the oven and add finishing touches.
Once cooked remove the chicken from the roasting tin with your tongs and leave to rest for 5 minutes on a few layers of kitchen paper before transferring to plates. I like to sprinkle them with rosemary and serve with some cherry tomatoes but if you'd prefer some more heat then you could use a finely chopped bright red chilli for a nice colourful topping.
Some notes on the ingredients:
As always I recommend our Original Vitamin Raw Honey but you can use any honey you may already have.
I really like the Arbol chili flakes from Tesco, which have a fantastic fiery but sweet taste, which isn't overpowering and they work great with chicken. You can of course use whichever you like or what you have available.
Garlic puree can be found next to the tomato puree in all supermarkets, you can use fresh minced garlic if you prefer but I've become a big fan of garlic puree in these kind of situations, it's so easy, convenient and tastes just as good.
If you prefer boneless thighs then you can use those instead but you will need to reduce the cooking times accordingly. I don't recommend skinless thighs for this recipe as the crispy flavoured skin is a big part of the taste and look.
If you are serving for more people or want bigger portions, simply use 8 thighs and double the amounts of the other ingredients.
Happy cooking!
65 comments
Love the look of these recipes, will try the chicken one, I have to be careful taking too much honey as I am a diabetic . I first tried your honey while browsing Amazon, and then decided to check you out direct.
Eugene Skinner
I’m a big fan of chicken thighs and this recipe has my mouth watering! I only have Justbee turmeric honey but I expect it would be just as yummy! I’d love it if you stated selling in bigger pots as mine don’t last long enough. I wonder why… Thank you!
Chrissy Gisbey
Lovely recipes. Look forward to trying. Still have 2 pots left but will reorder soon. Would love a list of ALL your products.
Thanks Joe.
Jan Densham
Thank you, will definitely try the chicken recipe. I have used the honey a lot in drinks, on porridge and I mix some chia seeds with Greek yogurt and your honey, I take this every day before my toast or porridge for breakfast. Will be ordering some more as soon as I have used a little more.
Gloria manning
This recipe is really lovely, we’ve had it a few times but I just wondered if it would work with salmon? I really dont like fish but am trying to find ways of making it more palatable
Crissy
This looks yummy – I might try it with chicken breasts too. Thank you.
Janice
Hi Joe, That chicken and honey recipe looks very yummy I will give it a go as soon as possible. Thanks Joe.
Christine Halford
Honey Chilli Chicken sounds delicious & I will give it a try.
However, Lemon Green Tea & Honey sounds so simple, I must get some.
Thank you.
Anne Boland
Absolutely wonderfull
Madeline Dale
Thank you so much for the recipes , I really hope to receive some more . My husband and I are on a healthy eating diet and I’m always looking for new recipes to try .
Once again , thank you 😊
Norma Devonshire
Will it work with chicken drum sticks
Timing different?
Linda
I love lemon green tea with just bee 🐝 in it…. I’m definitely a fan and feel better for taking it. Thanks Joe
Kate Moore
Oooo, this sounds lush, will try for sure.
Marina
I have tried the honey chilli chicken and it is spectacular, so delicious and so easy anyone can do it 5*****
Sandie Carley
I love this and all the recipes posted. I print and save them for future use or share with my daughter. I love all the Just Bee 🐝 honey flavours. I do have favourites. Love the Christmas hamper also the mini honey, great for travelling. I used the honey’s in almost everything. Can’t get enough really. Well Joe and Team Bee 🐝
Marie Shortt
I have been buying your kemon and ginger honey for a long time now. Having various forms of arthritis and some major surgeries I have quite a lot of medication to take. 2 teaspoons of the lemon and ginger honey in hot water every morning to take my tablets with is just perfect. Love it. Oh recently bought the squeeze tube apple and cinnamon, it is gorgeous over yoghurt, porridge or toast. Keep up the good work.
Gwen Anthony
I’m loving your honey and turmeric and have it on my porridge every morning. Gawd it tastes lush.
I’m going to try the chicken recipe. Thanks Joe :-)
Melanie Jayne Davies
I love your honey especially the lemon and ginger. Of the specials the pineapple and blackcurrant are my favourites. I’m going to try your chicken recipe, it sounds delicious. Thanks Joe 🐝🐝
Pamela Fingerhut
Ove receiving your emails and recipes!! I use the turmeric honey to help with my ‘aches and pains ’ . I’ve told everyone about its wonderful results and people have noticed how much more positive I am. Its eased my pains and consequently my mindset is more positive!! Probably nicer to be around!!😊 Thank you !x
Mary Oglanby
The honey you produce is just great, ethical, flavoursome and healthy. I enjoy the recipes you share. Thank you bees and thank you Just Bee Honey. ❤️
Gillian Price
I’m loving the turmeric honey, both my husband and myself have it on our breakfast every morning, I must order more.
Tonight I am going to try the chicken recipe.
Thank you for sharing.
Lauren Watson
I loved the vitamin honey had it with porridge,toast,yogurt or in a drink it was gorgeous will definitely try the chicken recipe so will be ordering more WOW
Sue
I will definitely be giving the chicken & all the other recipes ago, 😋 yummy! Thank you so much for the inspirations of making something different for my friends & family.
Val Cooney
We love the honey ( I order 6 at a time and give 3 to my younger daughter) I’ve converted my older daughter Sally cormack and she loves it. I’m cooking myself chicken tonight so going to try the chicken recipe. I have honey every morning on my muesli and every tea time with fruit yogout , seeds and nuts, yummy
Jenny samson
Just enjoying my pot of. Lemon and Ginger honey. Quite delicious
By the way did you know that St Valentine is the patron saint of Bee keepers
Sandra Law
Hello everyone, just wondering if the Chicken thighs recipe could be done in the Air Frier and cooked on the roast setting. The recipe itself sounds quite tasty and just wanted to know if the chicken needed to be partly pan fried before placing into the Air Frier. Thanks so much.
Patricia Anne Jones
Have just received my first order. Valencia orange WOW 😮
Look forward to making the honey chicken recipe
Susie
I am on my second pot of 6 turmeric honey it tastes really lovely. I have it drizzled over weetabix in the morning or as a latte made with milk. Very nice. I will try more flavours in the future. Love the little packets of wild flowers as well, seems to be quite a few seeds in there. Thank you so much.
Gillian wright
I have a regular stock of your honey. My favourite is salted caramel. But I love the others too. Sleep honey is brilliant. I give honey regularly as birthday presents and quite often just as little gift for mo reason. I have 3 jars for my grandson for Christmas. I’m going to make the chilli honey chicken next. Thank you.
Ann Brown
Would chicken breasts work with this recipe?
Roberta Whiteside
My first time with this honey,all I can say is Wow, it’s delicious,I’m having the one with turmeric because of stomach problems. Nearly finished my jar now,but I’ll be ordering more thank you !
Barbara Hammond
Loving the turmeric honey. Have two teaspoons on my fruit and yoghurt breakfast. Yum.
Carol Murphy
I have bought all the different flavours of this honey and just love them. My first drink of the day is lemon & ginger tea with tsp honey. Thank you
Janet Smith
I love this honey, I am stocked up with the +turmeric now, I have a tspoon each morning as my first hot drink it’s delicious with half of a dissolving vitC tablet added, as I can no longer have my usual lemon juice in hot water due to bladder probs. I thoroughly recommend this honey am experimenting with recipes too.
Carol French
Hi everyone I first bought this honey as I saw it on Facebook and it boasted how it built up immunity . I bought it for my hubby who has a low white cell count .. I can’t tell you how this has worked. He never and I mean never gets a cold, cough etc it’s fabulous stuff
Ruth clough
Yum I love the Vitamin Honey. I have it on crumpets, toast, in tea, in turmeric latte. I look forward to trying the honey chilli chicken.
Tracey
Tried Gingerbread Honey for Christmas .. it’s just yum 😋 Favourite had to be Lemon & Ginger. Thanks Joe & Co x
Caroline Cuckson
Love Lemon & Ginger but also for Christmas purchased the Gingerbread Honey ..delicious 😋 Thanks Joe & Co x
Caroline Cuckson.
Loving the honey + ginger honey at
B.fast time. Just received the valencia honey, it is delish! Will try out the recipes too.
Merry Xmas 🎄 everyone
Jennifer Monks
My grandkids love all your honey 🍯,especially the toffee apple one you did,they have it on crumpets,toast and of course a spoon 🥄 thank you and merry Christmas to you all. Oh they loved setting the seeds for the bees 🐝 and watching them in the summer.
Karen Wilton
The intense flavour of the Vitamin Honey with lemon n ginger is explosive! Like a honey bomb of goodness!
Amanda Mercer
love all the honey !!! take it by the spoonfull straight out of jar !!!
JENNIFER PLATT
Hot water, lemon and generous spoon of honey to start the day. Absolutely loving the orange and new turmeric flavours. Couldn’t take to sleep honey but gave to a friend and now he’s a customer! So everyone’s happy especially the bees, thanks Joe and gang!! 😁
Gill Gascoigne
Love this honey 🍯
Been having it years, I have it on my yoghurt over cereals in the morning & also my first drink is hot water, lemon & generous teaspoon of honey!
just tried the new Valencia orange & it’s amazing!
I’ve also bought the lavender sleep honey but haven’t tried it yet, I’m looking forward to trying it as I struggle with sleep.
Love that we’re helping the fabulous bees 🐝 too ❤️
Mandy flint
I have my honey hot in the mornings.
I have cooked chicken with the honey glaze it’s delicious.
Carol Bruce
Loving your honey have it on my porridge and toast for breakfast. Also the sleep honey is also brilliant. Thankyou.
Sheena Swankie
Yes I too love your honey, have it every morning with my yogurt, and herbs, keeps me going.
Christine
I love the lemon and ginger honey, have it in hot water 4 times a day, bedtime drink is the best part of the night. Hubby has the lavender honey before bed, he loves it too.
Bel
So love this honey 🍯 always have mine as a hot drink in morning but my hubby just loves it on porridge or neat.Beautiful flavour and helping our bees
Rosalind Dean
Love the Lemon and Ginger one,it’s amazing,i always have it on my cereal every morning.
Simply the best👌 .
Janet Burrow
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