Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs With Hot Honey And Lime​

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey and Lime are a fast, flavor-packed alternative to a full roast chicken. This recipe uses bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and crispiness with minimal effort.

The thighs are seasoned with pantry spices and roasted at high heat until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through. A quick glaze of butter, hot sauce, honey, and fresh lime is brushed on at the end for a sweet and spicy finish. No marinating, no fancy steps — just simple ingredients and reliable results.

It’s an easy way to get bold flavor on the table in about 45 minutes, using one pan and ingredients you probably already have.

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Chicken Thighs Recipe

• Bold flavor with minimal effort: The hot honey and fresh lime juice create a sweet-spicy-citrus glaze that punches way above its weight.
• No-fuss ingredients: Just basic spices, butter, hot sauce, honey, and lime — nothing fancy or hard to find.
• Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside: Roasting chicken thighs at high heat delivers golden skin and tender meat every time.
• Faster than a full roast chicken: Bone-in, skin-on thighs cook quicker and don’t require carving.
• Weeknight-friendly: One pan, 45 minutes, no marinating — this is a go-to for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Cholula or any mild variety)
• 1 lime, for zesting and juicing
• 2 tablespoons mild honey

Tip: Skip fresh garlic in this recipe. It burns easily at high oven temps and turns bitter.

How to Make Roasted Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey and Lime

Step 1: Preheat your oven
Set the oven to 450°F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with foil for easier cleanup.

Step 2: Season the chicken
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Make sure the skin is dry so it crisps up in the oven.

Step 3: Roast skin-side up
Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side up on the baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Mix the butter and hot sauce
While the chicken is roasting, whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce in a small bowl. Pour half into a separate bowl and set it aside.

Step 5: Brush and continue roasting
After 20 minutes, brush the chicken with half of the butter-hot sauce mixture. Return it to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Check at 10 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Step 6: Make the honey-lime glaze
Zest the lime, then cut it in half. Add the lime zest and honey to the remaining butter-hot sauce and whisk well.

Step 7: Glaze and finish
As soon as the chicken comes out of the oven, brush it with the honey-lime glaze. Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the top.

Step 8: Serve
Serve hot with your favorite sides. This pairs well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh green salad.

Tips from the Queen of Roast

Dry the chicken well
Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin. Use paper towels to pat the thighs completely dry before seasoning. This one step makes a big difference.

Don’t overcrowd the pan
Give each piece of chicken a little breathing room so it roasts instead of steaming. If needed, use two pans.

Use mild hot sauce
This recipe is about balance, not burn. A vinegar-based hot sauce like Cholula, Frank’s, or Crystal works best here. Skip anything ultra-hot unless you want to crank up the heat.

Watch the chicken in the last 10 minutes
Every oven is different. Start checking at the 10-minute mark during the second roast to avoid overcooking or burning the glaze.

Brush while hot
Add the honey-lime glaze while the chicken is still hot from the oven so it soaks in and sticks to the crispy skin.

Want extra glaze?
Double the butter, hot sauce, honey, and lime. Save half for dipping or drizzling at the table.

What to Serve with Roasted Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey and Lime

This dish is bold and flavorful, so it’s best served with simple sides that balance the heat and sweetness.

Here are some easy pairings:

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes And Carrots
  A classic side that soaks up the glaze and keeps the meal hearty.
• Steamed rice or coconut rice
  Great for mellowing the spice and adding a little texture contrast.
• Grilled or roasted veggies
  Try broccoli, zucchini, carrots, or Brussels sprouts. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast while the chicken cooks.
• Cornbread or warm flatbread
  Something soft and slightly sweet to help balance the heat.
• Simple green salad
  Use romaine, cucumbers, and a light lemon or ranch dressing to cool things down.
• Coleslaw or cabbage slaw
  Crisp, tangy, and crunchy — this helps cut through the richness of the chicken.

This recipe also works great in wraps, tacos, or chopped up over rice bowls if you’re working with leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey and Lime are a solid go-to for nights when you need dinner to hit hard without taking up your whole evening. It’s fast, budget-friendly, and delivers serious flavor with just a handful of ingredients.

Whether you serve it with rice, roasted veggies, or eat it straight off the pan (no judgment), this one’s worth repeating. Save it, share it, and make extra — leftovers are just as good.