Why You’ll Love This Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken
This golden glazed honey baked chicken is a busy parent’s dream come true. With just five simple ingredients for the marinade, you’ll have dinner prep done in minutes.
The magic happens while it bakes—that heavenly aroma of honey and garlic filling your kitchen is worth every second of waiting.
I love how versatile this dish is. Need to prepare ahead? Mix the marinade the night before. The sweet-savory balance appeals to even picky eaters, and those gorgeous caramelized edges? Pure culinary gold.
Plus, that extra sauce makes plain rice taste restaurant-worthy. Trust me, this will become your new weeknight hero.
What Ingredients are in Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken?
What makes this Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken so special is the simple yet flavorful marinade that transforms ordinary chicken into a caramelized, sticky-sweet masterpiece. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredient list—items you probably already have in your pantry right now. No need to make a special trip to the grocery store or hunt down exotic spices.
This is comfort food at its finest, with a marinade that strikes the perfect balance between sweet honey and savory soy sauce, creating that irresistible golden glaze that gives the dish its name.
- 6 bone-in chicken breasts (or 1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces)
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Non-stick cooking spray or foil (for the baking pan)
While the recipe is pretty forgiving, a few ingredient notes might help you customize it to your family’s taste. For a gluten-free version, simply swap in tamari instead of soy sauce.
If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs work beautifully and tend to stay even juicier during baking. And don’t be tempted to use dried garlic instead of garlic powder—the powder distributes more evenly throughout the marinade and won’t burn during the long baking time.
The quality of your honey matters too; a local, darker honey will add more complex flavor notes than the standard supermarket variety, though both will certainly work.
How to Make This Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken
Making this honey baked chicken couldn’t be easier, and that’s honestly what makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the fuss. Start by mixing the marinade—combine ¾ cup honey, ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Give it a good stir until everything’s well incorporated.
The beauty of this marinade? You can make it ahead and refrigerate it for an hour or even prepare it the day before, which is a total lifesaver for those of us juggling work, kids, and everything else life throws our way.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan—either lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray or line it with foil for even easier cleanup (because who wants to scrub pans after dinner?).
Take your 6 bone-in chicken breasts (or whole chicken cut into 8 pieces), give them a quick rinse under cold water, and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade stick better and promotes that gorgeous caramelization we’re after.
Arrange the chicken pieces in the prepared pan, then pour that luscious marinade all over, making sure each piece gets thoroughly coated.
Now comes the magic—simply pop the uncovered pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for about an hour, until the chicken develops that signature golden-brown color we’re looking for. The marinade will gradually thicken, creating a sticky glaze that coats each piece with sweet-savory goodness.
Can you smell that honey-garlic aroma filling your kitchen yet? Once done, don’t waste a drop of that liquid gold left in the pan! Pour those extra juices into a gravy bowl and serve alongside the chicken. The sauce is absolutely divine drizzled over rice or sopped up with a crusty piece of bread. Trust me, there won’t be leftovers.
Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken Substitutions and Variations
While the classic honey baked chicken recipe is absolutely delicious as written, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste preferences or what’s available in your pantry.
Try swapping chicken thighs for breasts—they’re more forgiving and often juicier. No soy sauce? Tamari or coconut aminos work beautifully.
I sometimes add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for tang, or sprinkle in red pepper flakes for heat. Maple syrup can replace honey for a different sweetness profile. Fresh minced garlic instead of powder? Even better.
For an Asian twist, toss in grated ginger and finish with sesame seeds. The possibilities? Nearly endless.
What to Serve with Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken
Now that you’ve mastered the recipe itself, let’s talk about creating the perfect plate around your golden, sticky-sweet chicken.
I love serving this honey baked chicken with fluffy rice pilaf or mashed potatoes, which soak up that incredible sauce.
A bright, acidic side like lemon-dressed green beans or a simple arugula salad cuts through the richness perfectly. Trust me, you need that balance.
For something more substantial, try roasted root vegetables—carrots and parsnips particularly complement the honey flavors.
Can’t decide? Go with a classic dinner roll to mop up every last drop of that savory-sweet glaze. Pure comfort food heaven.
Final Thoughts
This golden glazed honey baked chicken recipe has three key virtues that make it a permanent fixture in my dinner rotation: simplicity, flavor, and versatility.
I’ve tried countless chicken recipes over the years, but this one strikes the perfect balance between effort and reward.
What I love most is how the honey creates that irresistible caramelized exterior while keeping the meat juicy inside.
The marinade does all the heavy lifting, flavor-wise. You can prep it ahead, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend meals.
Trust me, this recipe might just become your family’s new favorite too.
Golden Glazed Honey Baked Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir well until thoroughly mixed.
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by either spraying with non-stick cooking spray or lining with foil.
- Rinse chicken pieces under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Arrange chicken pieces in the prepared baking pan.
- Pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
