honey spice chicken thighs

So, I got a really excellent deal on chicken thighs this week - $0.99 / lb. Ironically, the regular 2 lb. package was the same price as the large, 5 lb. "value pack." No sale or anything! Sometimes you just need to look a little closer!

Obviously not every store will have this fantastic deal on chicken thighs, but this recipe will probably be pretty inexpensive either way. The other ingredients required are also fairly inexpensive.

I used 8 of the 10 chicken thighs in the package and froze the other two for later use. The thighs were pretty big, so I am costing it out at one thigh per serving. Also, I experimented with skin on and skin removed thighs and, I have to say, the skin off were much better!

If you're not into spicy, you can leave out the cayenne and this recipe will still be excellent! The seasoning glaze is a great mix of sweet, smokey, and garlicky. The cayenne just gives it an extra kick.

This recipe is super easy to prepare and requires little attention, so you can use the extra time to prepare a salad or whatever side dishes you want!


Inspired by Cooking Light's Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken Thighs.



Total Recipe cost: $5.13
Servings Per Recipe: 8 (one thigh each)
Cost per serving: $0.64
Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 40 min. Total: 50 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
8 (4 lbs.)	chicken thighs	$4.16
1/3 cup	honey	$0.59
1 Tbsp	cider vinegar	$0.06
1 Tbsp	chili powder	$0.15
1/2 Tbsp	garlic powder	$0.08
1/4 tsp	smoked paprika	$0.02
1/2 tsp	cumin	$0.03
1/4 tsp	cayenne pepper	$0.02
1 tsp	salt	$0.02
TOTAL		$5.13

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine everything except the chicken thighs (honey, cider vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, cumin, and salt). Stir until combined.

STEP 2: Remove the skin from the chicken thighs if desired. Place the chicken thighs either on a roasting pan or a baking sheet covered with foil. A roasting pan can be simulated by placing wire cooling racks over a baking sheet to allow juices to fall below the chicken. Brush the honey spice mixture over the surface of the chicken thighs, using about half of the total honey mixture.

STEP 3: Place the chicken thighs in the fully preheated oven. Roast for about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken thighs from the oven and use the remaining honey spice mixture to brush on a second coat. Return the chicken to the oven and roast for another 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Note: Do not brush any of the honey spice mixture onto the chicken after it is finished cooking because it is contaminated with raw chicken. Use all of it prior to the last 20 minutes of cooking.

Step By Step Photos

This is the chicken that I bought. I think I stared at the prices at the store for a good 2-3 minutes in disbelief. It was seriously the same price for a 2lb. package of four chicken thighs. Ha! I used 8 of the 10 and froze the other two.


I made my own roasting pan by placing two wire cooling racks over a baking sheet. I used the foil for easy cleanup. You can also cook them directly on the baking sheet if you don't have the wire racks. I experimented with skin on and skin off. The skin off was definitely better and more flavorful. The honey does a great job of keeping the chicken moist even without the skin there.


The honey spice mixture includes: honey, cider vinegar, chili powder (not spicy), garlic powder, cumin, cayenne (spicy), smoked paprika, and salt.


Stir everything together.


Brush about half of the honey spice mixture onto the chicken. Place it in a fully preheated, 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.


After 20 minutes, take the chicken out and use the rest of the honey spice mixture to brush on a second coat.


After you've fully coated the chicken with the rest of the honey spice mixture, put it back in the oven and let it roast for another 20 minutes.


And then it looks like this and tastes delicious! Serve hot.


YUM.