How to make Honey buttered garlic chicken

The Honey buttered garlic chicken. This deliciously simple recipe is quick and easy to make. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 Chicken thighs – bone in, skin on
• 6 tb butter – unsalted, divided
• 3-4 garlic cloves – finely chopped
• fresh parsley – chopped for garnish
• Red pepper flakes – optional
• Salt and pepper – to taste
• 4-5 tb honey – your favorite
• Juice for ½ large lemon
• Lemon wedges – to serve

METHOD:

1. Preheat your oven to broil and place the oven shelf about 8-inches from the broiling element. 
2. Rinse chicken, pat dry and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a cast iron skillet.
3. Sear chicken thighs, skin side down until crisp – 4-5 minutes. Turn over and sear again until the thighs are golden brown.
4. Drain some of the drippings from the pan leaving about 3 tablespoons. Remove chicken from pan and place on a plate to keep warm.
5. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet with the juice, scraping up all the little bits left over from the chicken as these add flavor and keep stirring until the butter starts to foam.
6. When the foam settles and the butter begins to change color to a golden brown it will have a nutty fragrance, which is what you want.
7. Pour the honey into the pan and stir constantly as the honey dissolves into the butter and becomes well combined.
8. Now add the finely chopped garlic and sauté for a few minutes until you can smell the garlic aroma. Add the lemon juice and continue stirring until all well combined. 

Now, if using, stir in the red pepper flakes according to your taste. 

Add the chicken back to the pan and transfer to the preheated oven and watch carefully as it sears the tops of the chicken until charred. 

NOTE:

If you prefer you can cook the chicken in your oven.  

In your oven preheated to 400º, sear the chicken thighs in your cast iron or heavy-duty skillet, skin side down for about 3-5 minutes.  Turn over and sear the other side for an additional 3-5 minutes or until well browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm. Make the sauce following the previous sauce directions and then add the chicken to the sauce and transfer the skillet to the oven for an additional 20-25 minutes of cooking time until the chicken is completely cooked. Change your oven settings to grill and finish cooking the chicken until it is nicely charred on top. 

This dish works well with rice, mashed potatoes or orzo, and a simple salad. Of course, don’t forget some crusty Italian bread. 

BUON MANGIATA!