Description
This Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and glazed with a tangy and sweet sauce made from honey, garlic, lemon pepper seasoning, soy sauce, and fresh lemon juice. Quick and easy to prepare, this skillet-cooked dish is bursting with vibrant flavors perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning (divided)
- 5 slices of lemon
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of half a lemon
Other
- Cooking oil, as needed
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, 3 teaspoons of lemon pepper seasoning, and the juice of half a lemon until the mixture is well combined. Set this flavorful sauce aside for later use.
- Season and Brown the Chicken: Heat cooking oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season one side generously with salt and lemon pepper seasoning. Place the chicken in the hot skillet, seasoned side down, then season the other side. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides and nearly cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Add Lemons and Sauce: When the chicken is nearly cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low. Arrange the lemon slices around and on top of the chicken in the skillet. Pour the prepared honey garlic lemon pepper sauce over the chicken. Increase the heat back to medium until the sauce begins bubbling, then let it simmer for approximately 5 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken frequently to baste and create a sticky glaze.
- Finish and Serve: Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then spoon extra sauce over the chicken before serving. Discard the lemon slices before plating. Serve immediately and enjoy the bright, sweet, and savory flavors.
Notes
- For best results, use boneless skinless chicken thighs as they stay juicy and cook quickly.
- Adjust the amount of lemon pepper seasoning to your taste preference for more or less zest.
- Use a non-stick or well-seasoned skillet to prevent chicken from sticking.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and moist.
- You can double the sauce ingredients for more glaze and leftovers.
