Sweet and Spicy Boneless Chicken Thighs
These Sweet and Spicy Boneless Chicken Thighs are here to spice up your weeknight dinner routine! If you like your chicken tender, juicy, and full of flavor, this is the recipe for you.
You know how when you’re eating something really good, you don’t want it to end? That’s kind of how I feel about these sweet and spicy boneless chicken thighs. The seasoning? On point! The spiciness? Just perfect! The honey? Sticky and delicious! And then there’s a little bit of apple cider vinegar for some balance and tanginess.
If you’re in a weeknight chicken dinner rut, making the same baked chicken breast week after week, these sweet and spicy chicken thighs will help you shake things up. They’re easy, quick, and full of flavor—and they also pair well with just about any side dish, from Szechuan Green Beans to Scalloped Potatoes.
Basically, these sweet and spicy boneless chicken thighs are sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation. Say buh-bye to that chicken dinner rut!
Ingredients for Sweet and Spicy Boneless Chicken Thighs
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, chili powder, kosher salt, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and ground cayenne pepper.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – If you want to use bone-in or try this recipe with chicken breasts instead, you absolutely can—just remember that bone-in thighs will take longer to cook, while boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook faster.
- Honey – This makes the sauce sticky and sweet.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Without the vinegar, the sweetness would be too much. This adds just enough tartness to bring things into balance.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs
Here’s how to make the best chicken thighs EVER.
- Mix the seasonings. Whisk everything together in a medium bowl.
- Season the chicken. Add the chicken to the bowl of seasonings and toss to coat.
- Bake. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Make the honey glaze. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the honey and vinegar.
- Glaze the chicken. Brush half of the glaze onto the chicken. Broil for 1 minute, then flip and glaze the other side and broil a minute more.
Tips for Making Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs
- Adjust the seasonings as needed. If you’re cooking for kids (or adults who are timid when it comes to spicy food), you can cut back on the cayenne or even leave it out altogether. If, on the other hand, you like a lot of heat, you can add more cayenne or even use hot honey instead of regular honey in the glaze.
- Let the chicken rest. Just a few minutes of resting after pulling the chicken out of the oven will help the juices reincorporate into the meat.
- Storing leftovers properly. Leftover sweet and spicy boneless chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 350ºF, or in the microwave if those aren’t options.
More Ways to Cook Sweet and Spicy Chicken Boneless Thighs
I love broiling these chicken thighs because it’s so fast! But it’s not the only way to cook this recipe. Here are some additional ideas:
- Grill. Season the chicken thighs as directed, then follow the method in this recipe for Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs with Honey Butter Glaze and brush the honey and vinegar mixture onto the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Air fryer. Season the chicken as directed. Air fry at 380ºF for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping at the halfway point. Brush both sides with the honey and vinegar during the last minute or two of cooking time.
- Baking. Season the chicken as directed. Bake at 350ºF for 10 to 12 minutes, then brush the top with the honey and vinegar and broil for a minute; flip and brush the other side and broil for a minute more.
What to Serve With Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs
These sweet and spicy boneless chicken thighs pair with all kinds of sides and all kinds of flavors—from Asian to Tex-Mex and traditional American sides like potatoes and green beans. Here are some of my favorite pairings.
- Lemon Parmesan Sauteed Green Beans
- Sautéed Broccoli Rabe
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Easy Asian Slaw Recipe
More Chicken Thigh Recipes
- Basil Pesto Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
- Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Creamy Mushroom Tarragon Sauce
- Maple Mustard Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cranberries and Squash
- Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Scalloped Potatoes
- Honey Chipotle BBQ Grilled Chicken Thighs
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Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, cumin, paprika and cayenne.
- Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet or broiler pan coated with cooking spray.
- Broil the chicken for 5 minutes. Flip and broil on the opposite side for 5 more minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the honey and vinegar until well combines.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and brush 1/4 cup of the honey mixture on the chicken. Return to the oven and broil for 1 minute. Flip the chicken and brush on the opposite side with the remaining honey.
- Return the oven and broil for an additional minute or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve immediately.