Save 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 made this when hosting friends for a cozy weeknight meal, and it quickly became an instant favorite at our table due to the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: 8 bone-in skin-on
- Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
- Smoked Paprika: 1 tsp
- Garlic Powder: 1 tsp
- Onion Powder: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp plus more for potatoes
- Black Pepper: 1/2 tsp plus more for potatoes
- BBQ Sauce: 1/2 cup use gluten-free if needed
- Honey: 3 tbsp
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tbsp
- Dijon Mustard: 1 tsp
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: 2 lbs 900g peeled and cut into chunks
- Garlic Cloves: 4 peeled
- Whole Milk: 1/2 cup warmed or use dairy-free alternative
- Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup or use olive oil for dairy-free
- Chopped Fresh Chives: 2 tbsp optional
Instructions
- Prep Oven & Baking Sheet:
- Preheat oven to 400°F 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Season Chicken:
- Pat chicken thighs dry. Mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub over chicken thighs.
- Bake Chicken:
- Arrange thighs skin side up on the sheet. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Make Honey BBQ Sauce:
- In a bowl whisk together BBQ sauce honey vinegar and Dijon.
- Glaze & Finish Chicken:
- After 25 minutes brush thighs with honey BBQ sauce. Bake 15 minutes more until cooked through and caramelized.
- Cook Potatoes & Garlic:
- Boil potatoes and garlic in salted water until fork-tender about 15-18 minutes.
- Mash & Finish Potatoes:
- Drain and return to pot. Add milk butter salt pepper. Mash until smooth. Stir in chives if using.
- Serve:
- Serve chicken thighs hot with mashed potatoes.
Save Our family loves making this meal together on Sunday evenings prepping the potatoes while the chicken bakes fills the kitchen with the most mouthwatering aroma.
Make It Your Own
Customize the potatoes with roasted garlic or substitute chives for fresh parsley to suit your taste.
Allergen Info
This recipe contains dairy milk and butter and mustard. Always check BBQ sauce ingredients for gluten or soy if allergies are a concern.
Serving Suggestions
Add a side of steamed green beans or coleslaw for a complete meal and sprinkle extra chives for a fresh look.
Save Whip up this meal for comfort food cravings and enjoy every bite of sticky sweet smoky chicken with smooth garlic mash.
Kitchen Guide
- → How do I ensure the chicken thighs stay juicy?
Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and avoid overcooking by monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 165°F (74°C). Basting with the honey BBQ sauce during cooking helps keep them moist.
- → Can I substitute the BBQ sauce with a gluten-free option?
Yes, using a gluten-free BBQ sauce keeps the dish safe for gluten-sensitive diets, ensuring all other ingredients complement it well.
- → What type of potatoes work best for the mashed potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal due to their creamy texture when mashed and natural buttery flavor, enhancing the garlic mashed potatoes.
- → How can I add extra smoky flavor to the chicken?
After baking, briefly grilling the glazed chicken thighs adds a smoky char and deepens the honey BBQ flavor profile.
- → Is there a dairy-free alternative for the mashed potatoes?
Butter can be replaced with olive oil and milk with a plant-based alternative to create creamy, dairy-free garlic mashed potatoes without compromising taste.