This Honey Garlic Chicken with Sweet Potatoes is the perfect dinner to brighten your week! The chicken is juicy and coated in a sweet, tangy sauce, while the brown sweet potatoes are soft and delicious.
Plus, minimal cleanup is needed since everything cooks together. It’s like a tasty hug on a plate! I often add a sprinkle of green onions on top for extra flavor and color. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs give great flavor and stay moist during cooking. If you prefer, boneless, skinless thighs or chicken breasts can be used, but adjust cooking times as they may cook faster.
Sweet Potatoes: These add a natural sweetness. If sweet potatoes aren’t available, you can swap them for regular potatoes, carrots, or even butternut squash for a different twist!
Olive Oil: This helps with cooking and adds flavor. If you want a different taste, go ahead and use avocado oil or melted coconut oil instead.
Honey: It gives a sticky sweetness. If you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, maple syrup works well. For a vegan version, use agave syrup instead.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang. If you don’t have this, lemon juice is a great substitute. It brings a fresh flavor to the dish.
How Do You Get Crispy Skin on Chicken Thighs?
Getting crispy skin on chicken is all about searing at the right temperature. Here’s how to achieve that perfect crunch:
- Heat the skillet until hot before adding the chicken to prevent it from steaming.
- Start with the skin side down and let it cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
- Don’t rush the cooking! Flipping too soon will lead to sogginess.
- Once it’s golden brown, flip it over, and cook for a few minutes more before removing it from the pan.
Remember, patience pays off for delightful crispy chicken skin! Enjoy the process and savor the results.
Honey Garlic Chicken and Sweet Potato
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
- Fresh parsley or chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious dish takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 25-30 minutes to cook in the oven. In total, you’ll need around 45 minutes to enjoy a home-cooked meal that’s packed with flavor and easy to clean up!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure it’s nice and hot when your dish is ready to go in.
2. Sear the Chicken:
In a large oven-safe skillet (a cast iron skillet is fantastic), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. While the oil heats, season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Sear them until the skin is crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Cook the Sweet Potatoes:
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same skillet. Toss in the cubed sweet potatoes, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Stir to make sure they’re well-coated in oil.
Cook the sweet potatoes for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they start to soften and get a little char on the edges.
4. Prepare the Sauce:
While the sweet potatoes are cooking, mix together the minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. This will create a delicious honey garlic sauce!
5. Combine Everything:
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them among the sweet potatoes. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken and sweet potatoes, making sure everything is nicely coated.
6. Roast in the Oven:
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and roast for about 20-25 minutes. You want the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sweet potatoes to be tender.
7. Garnish and Serve:
Once done, take the skillet out of the oven. If you like, sprinkle fresh parsley or green onions on top for a bright finish. Serve the dish warm and enjoy the wonderful blend of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors!
This one-pan, oven-roasted honey garlic chicken with sweet potatoes is not only easy to make but also comforting and absolutely delicious! Enjoy your meal!
Can I Use Other Cuts of Chicken?
Absolutely! You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or drumsticks. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary—boneless cuts generally cook faster, so check for doneness early to avoid drying them out.
What If I Don’t Have Honey?
If you’re out of honey, maple syrup or agave nectar will work as a sweet substitution. Both will give a slightly different flavor but complement the dish well!
How to Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
To make this dish gluten-free, simply replace the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, which are both gluten-free alternatives. This will maintain the umami flavor without any gluten!
Can I Prepare This Dish in Advance?
Yes, you can prep the chicken and sweet potatoes a day ahead! Just season everything and store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before roasting to ensure even cooking.
