My Glazed Pork Chops recipe has been viral for several years because it’s ridiculously easy, super tasty, and the sweet and spicy glaze helps keep the pork chops nice and moist. While I’ve often told people that the glaze works just as well on chicken, I had yet to showcase that particular combo on the blog. Until now. And honestly, I might even like these Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs better than the pork chops because they’re inherently even more tender and juicy, which means they reheat well and are absolutely perfect for meal prep. ;)
Can I Make the Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs Less Spicy?
Yep, if you want just a little heat, reduce the cayenne pepper to 1/4 tsp. If you want a completely non-spicy version, leave the cayenne pepper out and swap the regular paprika for smoked paprika to add complexity.
Can I Use Chicken Breast?
Yes, BUT you will need to use boneless breasts and pound the meat out to an even 1/2-inch thickness so they cook quickly. Otherwise the glaze will overcook and burn before your chicken breast cooks through.
Can I Use Bone-In Thighs?
I don’t suggest bone-in thighs for this recipe because they take much longer to cook and a longer cook time will likely cause the glaze to burn. This recipe cooks quick and needs a quick-cooking meat to match.
What to Serve with Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken
These Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs pair well with: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes (shown), Oven Roasted Frozen Broccoli, steamed green beans (shown), roasted or mashed sweet potatoes, or potato salad.
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs
Servings 4Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar ($0.12)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp paprika ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- freshly cracked pepper ($0.05)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
- 1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (4-5 pieces) ($4.49)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper (10-15 cranks of a pepper mill).
- Place the chicken thighs on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the chicken, coating both sides liberally.
- Heat a large skillet over medium. Once hot, add the olive oil and swirl to coat. Add the coated chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and the brown sugar has turned into a deep brown glaze. Serve hot.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!Video
This has seriously become one of my go-to weeknight dinners! It goes so good with EVERYTHING.
How to Make Glazed Chicken Thighs – Step by Step Photos
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper (about 10-15 cranks of a pepper mill).
Pat 1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the chicken, coating both sides liberally.
Heat a large skillet (large enough to fit all the meat in a single layer) over medium. Once hot, add the olive oil and swirl to coat the surface of the skillet. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and the brown sugar has turned into a deep brown glaze.
Cooking time can vary with the side of your chicken thighs, type of cookware, or even the nuances of your range. So, watch the chicken closely, spin the skillet if your burner has hot spots, and make sure the heat isn’t too high or the glaze will burn before the chicken cooks through.
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs – making “meat and potatoes” a little more exciting. ;)
Love this recipe! Make it at least 2 to 3 times a month. It’s so easy and quick to prepare.
A family favorite for sure! I cut back the cayenne pepper to 1/4 tsp and it was perfect for us. I’ve made it 3 times now and I think one of the keys for my family liking it so much was that I tried to cut as much fat off the thighs as I could. We never have any leftovers and my super picky son eats two of them.
This is so yummy- I always come back the this recipe!
Oops! i’m ready to cook them but just realized it says “boneless/skinless” thighs…fingers crossed!
These were really simple and really good! The only thing I did differently was that I grilled mine, but in the cooler months I’d probably cook them on the stove. Grilled some vegetables for the side as well. I’m definitely keeping this one in my back pocket.
How did they turn out on the grill? What was your cooking time/grill temp? Did the brown sugar burn?
A lovely delicious recipe! So easy to do on a weeknight after work!
Great recipe! Thank you my family loved it.
Such a delicious-looking chicken thigh, pinning !! 💖
I made this for dinner tonight. Delicious and easy. Even my picky son liked it. This will be a staple.
Loved this recipe! I used thighs and chicken breast. Made fried rice the day before. Combined both left overs for a 3rd meal with Trader Joe’s rice pilaf. Absolutely delicious.
Made this chicken for the second time. It was even better the first time. Quick. Easy. Tasty.
Hi! I do not have a stainless steel skillet. Would a cast iron be alright? Or would you recommend a regular nonstick instead?
You could use either cast iron or non-stick. :) The glaze can get rather sticky, so if you’re not super comfortable with cast iron, I’d go with the non-stick to make it extra easy.
AMAZING!!!!!! Love love love, my husband loved it. Not too spicy not too sweet. Thank you!
Could I reheat this all together?
Quick easy and always on repeat! Love it. Thanks for the recipe
We make these once a week, they are the best! We increase the cayenne a bit because we like spicy, and when bf (newbie cook) is in charge it gets cooked sheet pan style and still turns out great. Thank you so much for this recipe!!
Is the calorie count for the chicken only? Or the green beans and potato’s also?
Nutrition info is just for what is in the recipe card, so in this case just the chicken. :)