The recipe for these juicy Basil Honey Baked Chicken Thighs has been on my mind for longer than I care to admit (I have a two page list plus several notebooks filled with recipe ideas…). Better late than never, I say!
The first time I ever used basil infused honey was while making The Grilled Cheese Social’s The Bee Sting (remix) grilled cheese and I have basically been hooked ever since. When we were working on a new menu at my current job, I even put it on a panini. I promise, you’re gonna love it.
We don’t have a microwave.. but you are welcome to use one instead of your stovetop. I also leave the skin on the thighs for this one, but if you’re anti chicken skin, by all means, take it off! Just don’t forget to take the garbage out before you go to bed…
If honey isn’t really your thing, or you’re more of a breaded chicken kinda person, be sure to check out The Fancy Napkins Oven Fried Chicken. Heck, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can absolutely coat the Basil Honey Baked Chicken Thighs in breading after you’ve dipped them in the honey mixture! And come to think of it, this may be a good alternative to the hot mustard layer in The Fancy Napkins Hot Mustard Chicken Fingers.
I would love to hear what you think of this super easy recipe so be sure to leave a comment below or fire off an email to me at laura@thefancynapkins.com
Until next time, happy cooking!
Basil Honey Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- Approx 1.5 kg bone in skin on chicken thighs (or skin off if you prefer!). This is about 8-10 thighs
- Salt and pepper to season chicken
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Breadcrumbs optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
- Generously season chicken thighs with salt and pepper (bonus points if you use seasoning salt)
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil
- In a small saucepan, on medium-low heat add 1/2 cup honey, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 cloves garlic (minced) and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil and mix until melted - but not super runny
- Remove saucepan from heat
- Dredge each chicken thigh into the honey mixture and place onto prepared baking sheet
- If you have chosen to use breadcrumbs, dredge each chicken thigh into your breadcrumbs before placing them onto the baking sheet
- Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of your chicken reaches 165 degrees F
