Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe

If you are craving a dish that bursts with bold flavors and vibrant textures, look no further than the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe. This delightful meal brings together tender, smoky chicken thighs coated in a sticky, spicy-sweet hot honey BBQ sauce, paired perfectly with a refreshing, crunchy citrus slaw that dances with zesty brightness. It’s a combination that feels both indulgent and fresh, making it an irresistible choice for a satisfying lunch or dinner that’s as colorful on the plate as it is on the palate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this recipe lies in its simple, yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a key role in balancing heat, sweetness, tang, and crunch, creating a harmonious dish that’s easy to put together but delivers serious flavor personality.

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These provide juicy, tender meat that absorbs the BBQ marinade beautifully.
• Kosher salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every layer of flavor.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth that complements the BBQ sauce perfectly.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For a rich savory underpinning.
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar: This brings a sharp acidity that brightens the honey BBQ glaze.
• 2 tablespoons hot honey (or regular honey): Infuses the chicken with a sweet heat that’s utterly addictive.
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce: Adds that classic smoky-sweet BBQ flavor foundation.
• Sesame seeds: A toasty garnish that adds a subtle nuttiness and texture contrast.
• 1 small green cabbage, thinly sliced: Provides a crunchy base for the salad that holds up well to the dressing.
• 2 carrots, shaved: Their natural sweetness and vibrant orange color brighten the slaw.
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced: Offers sharpness and a bit of bite.
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro: Adds a fresh herbal punch that livens up the salad.
• ¼ cup sliced almonds: Brings a delightful crunch and a mild, nutty flavor.
• 1 to 2 oranges, segmented and chopped: Their citrusy juiciness is the secret ingredient that makes the slaw pop.
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice: Adds vibrancy and tang to the dressing.
• 1 tablespoon honey: Balances acidity with gentle sweetness.
• 1 garlic clove, minced: Infuses the dressing with a subtle savory kick.
• Big pinch of kosher salt and pepper: To taste, for seasoning the slaw perfectly.
• ¼ cup avocado oil: Provides a smooth, mild base to emulsify the dressing.

How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by preheating your oven’s broiler to high and positioning a rack directly underneath it for optimal charring. Lay the chicken thighs out on a baking sheet, patting them dry to help seasonings stick well. Liberally season the chicken with kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder—this spice combo lays the groundwork for that deep, smoky flavor everyone will love.

Step 2: Broil the Chicken

Place the seasoned chicken under the broiler for 6 minutes, allowing a beautiful crust to form. After pulling it out, flip the thighs over and broil for another 6 minutes. This initial broiling cooks the chicken through while starting to build a great char on the surface, essential for that smoky BBQ vibe.

Step 3: Make and Apply the Hot Honey BBQ Glaze

While the chicken is broiling, whisk together your hot honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar. This mixture creates the luscious glaze that will elevate those thighs to superstar status. Once you flip the chicken the second time, start brushing this sticky glaze generously onto both sides, then return the chicken to the broiler for brief intervals—about 1 minute per side. Repeat this process once or twice more until the glaze is caramelized and slightly charred, giving it that irresistible glossy finish.

Step 4: Prepare the Citrus Slaw

While your chicken is getting that final broil, toss together the thinly sliced cabbage, shaved carrots, red onion, chopped cilantro, sliced almonds, and fresh orange segments in a large bowl. These ingredients combine to deliver crunch, sweetness, and citrus brightness in every bite.

Step 5: Make the Dressing and Toss the Slaw

In a small bowl, whisk lime juice, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined. Slowly drizzle in the avocado oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing into a silky finish. Pour this dressing over the slaw and toss thoroughly to coat every crisp strand and wedge with zesty, sweet goodness.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Slice the perfectly glazed chicken thighs and nestle them over a bed of that vibrant citrus slaw. Finish by sprinkling a handful of toasted sesame seeds on top for an extra layer of flavor and a delicate crunch that will have you reaching for seconds.

How to Serve Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkling sesame seeds on top not only adds irresistible texture but also gives a subtle nutty flavor that complements the sticky hot honey glaze beautifully. A few fresh cilantro leaves scattered over the plate brighten the look and the taste, making each bite feel fresh and inviting.

Side Dishes

This dish is satisfying enough on its own, but if you want to amp it up, serve with warm cornbread to soak up any leftover sauces or a simple bowl of grilled corn drizzled with lime and chili powder for complementary smoky sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the chicken sliced and wrapped in warm tortillas alongside the citrus slaw for a spicy-sweet chicken taco feast. Alternatively, layer the chicken and slaw in mason jars for an easy-to-transport picnic or lunchbox meal bursting with color and flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer any leftover chicken and slaw into separate airtight containers. Stored in the refrigerator, they’ll stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, allowing you to enjoy this delicious combination with minimal effort during the week.

Freezing

While the chicken freezes well, the fresh citrus slaw does not hold up to freezing as it will become soggy upon thawing. Freeze the chicken separately in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and plan to make a fresh batch of slaw when you’re ready to serve again.

Reheating

To reheat the chicken, use an oven or toaster oven set to 350°F (175°C), placing the chicken on a baking sheet and warming for 10 to 15 minutes until heated through and the glaze is slightly re-caramelized. Avoid microwaving to retain that perfect texture. Serve immediately over fresh slaw for best enjoyment.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

You certainly can! However, chicken thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful, especially when broiled with a sticky glaze like this. If using breasts, watch the cooking time closely to avoid drying out the meat.

How spicy is the hot honey in this recipe?

The hot honey brings a gentle heat that warms the palate rather than overwhelming it. If you prefer less spice, simply swap it out for regular honey to enjoy all the sweetness without the kick.

Is the citrus slaw salad recipe flexible to other veggies?

Absolutely! Feel free to add or swap in other crunchy vegetables like jicama, radishes, or thinly sliced bell peppers to tailor the slaw to your taste or seasonal availability.

Can I make the dressing in advance?

Yes! The dressing can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Give it a good whisk before tossing it with fresh slaw to ensure perfect emulsification and flavor.

What’s the best way to get a nicely charred glaze on the chicken?

Using the broiler with the oven rack placed close to the heat source is key. Applying several thin layers of the honey BBQ glaze and broiling each side for about a minute creates that beautifully caramelized, slightly charred finish that’s signature to this recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe is one of those special meals that becomes a fast favorite. It’s wonderfully balanced with sweet, spicy, smoky, and fresh elements all in one bite, making it perfect for those who love exciting flavors without fuss. Give it a try for your next meal—you might just find yourself making it again and again!

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe

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These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad offer a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Tender broiled chicken thighs are coated in a smoky, hot honey BBQ glaze and served atop a refreshing citrus slaw featuring cabbage, carrots, red onion, and bright orange segments. The crunchy almonds and fresh cilantro add extra texture and freshness, making this a delicious and satisfying meal ready in just 45 minutes.

• Author: Mari
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons hot honey (or regular honey if you prefer less spice)
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

For the Citrus Slaw Salad:

• 1 small green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, shaved with a vegetable peeler
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 1 to 2 oranges, segmented and chopped
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Big pinch of kosher salt and pepper
• ¼ cup avocado oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season all over liberally with kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to create a flavorful base.
2. Preheat the Broiler: Set your oven broiler to high and position the oven rack directly underneath the broiler to ensure even cooking and char.
3. Broil Chicken – First Side: Arrange chicken thighs on a baking sheet and place under the broiler. Cook for 6 minutes, allowing the heat to gently cook the chicken and begin developing char marks.
4. Flip and Broil Second Side: Remove the baking sheet, flip the chicken thighs, and broil for an additional 6 minutes to evenly cook through.
5. Make the Hot Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken is broiling, whisk together hot honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to create a sticky, spicy glaze.
6. Apply Sauce and Broil for Char: Brush one side of the chicken thighs with the honey BBQ sauce, return to the broiler and cook for 1 minute. Flip, brush the other side, and broil again for 1 minute. Repeat brushing and broiling once or twice more to achieve the desired charred finish.
7. Prepare the Citrus Slaw: In a large bowl, combine thinly sliced cabbage, shaved carrots, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced red onion, sliced almonds, and chopped orange segments, mixing well for a colorful base.
8. Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk freshly squeezed lime juice, honey, minced garlic, kosher salt, pepper, and avocado oil until emulsified into a bright, tangy dressing.
9. Toss Slaw with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss thoroughly to coat every ingredient, allowing flavors to meld.
10. Serve: Slice the broiled chicken thighs and place on top of the dressed citrus slaw. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• For less spice, substitute hot honey with regular honey.
• Make sure to keep an eye on the chicken when broiling to prevent burning as broilers vary in intensity.
• The citrus slaw can be prepared ahead and dressed just before serving to keep it crisp.
• Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the juiciest results and even cooking under the broiler.
• Adjust the amount of oranges in the slaw to your preference for sweetness and acidity balance.