Pin It Succulent, oven-baked chicken thighs glazed in a sticky honey BBQ sauce, served with creamy garlic mashed potatoes for a comforting and flavorful meal.
I first served this to my family and everyone loved the balance of sweet and smoky flavors combined with creamy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Honey BBQ Sauce: 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (use gluten-free if needed), 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: 2 lbs (900g) Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into chunks, 4 cloves garlic peeled, 1/2 cup whole milk warmed (or use dairy-free alternative), 1/4 cup unsalted butter (or substitute with olive oil for dairy-free), 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Prepare Chicken:
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture over the chicken thighs.
- Initial Bake:
- Arrange chicken thighs, skin side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Make Sauce:
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard.
- Glaze and Finish Baking:
- After 25 minutes, brush chicken thighs generously with the honey BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C) and the sauce is caramelized.
- Cook Potatoes:
- While the chicken is baking, place potatoes and garlic cloves in a large pot. Cover with cold salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are fork-tender about 15-18 minutes.
- Mash Potatoes:
- Drain potatoes and garlic well. Return to the pot. Add warm milk, butter, salt, and black pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped chives if using.
- Serve:
- Serve the honey BBQ chicken thighs hot alongside creamy garlic mashed potatoes.
Pin It My family enjoys gathering around the table for this meal especially because the sauce is a hit with kids and adults alike.
Serving Suggestions
Add a side of steamed green beans or coleslaw for a complete meal.
Dietary Notes
This dish contains dairy (milk butter) and mustard. Use gluten-free or soy-free BBQ sauce to keep it gluten-free.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 520 per serving, Total Fat: 25 g, Carbohydrates: 44 g, Protein: 31 g.
Pin It This honey BBQ chicken recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknights or weekend dinners.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I ensure the chicken thighs stay juicy?
Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and avoid overcooking. Baking skin-side up helps retain moisture and crisp the skin.
- → Can I make the BBQ glaze spicier?
Yes, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the honey BBQ mix for extra heat without overpowering the sweetness.
- → What type of potatoes work best for the mashed side?
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal due to their creamy texture and natural buttery flavor when mashed.
- → Can I prepare the mashed potatoes dairy-free?
Replace milk with a dairy-free alternative and use olive oil instead of butter to maintain creaminess without dairy.
- → Is it necessary to brush the chicken with the sauce halfway through cooking?
Yes, brushing halfway ensures the glaze caramelizes nicely without burning, adding rich flavor and sticky texture.