Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs with Citrus Slaw Salad Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Preheat the Broiler: Set your oven broiler to high and position the oven rack directly underneath the broiler to ensure even cooking and char.
- 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.
- Flip and Broil Second Side: Remove the baking sheet, flip the chicken thighs, and broil for an additional 6 minutes to evenly cook through.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Toss Slaw with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss thoroughly to coat every ingredient, allowing flavors to meld.
- 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.