Garlic Black Pepper Chicken (Printable version)

Juicy chicken thighs with aromatic garlic and bold black pepper marinade. Ready in 40 minutes.

# Ingredient list:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (approximately 1.1 pounds)

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
03 - 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if required)
05 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon honey
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
11 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine garlic, black pepper, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, olive oil, rice vinegar, and sea salt. Whisk thoroughly until honey is fully dissolved and ingredients are well incorporated.
02 - Place chicken thighs into the marinade, turning pieces to ensure even coating. Cover bowl and refrigerate for minimum 20 minutes; for optimal flavor development, marinate overnight.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F or place skillet over medium-high heat until properly heated.
04 - Baking method: Arrange marinated chicken on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and surface is golden. Pan-searing method: Sear chicken 6-7 minutes per side in hot skillet until well-browned and fully cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest 5 minutes to redistribute juices. Slice if desired, then sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
06 - Plate hot alongside steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or fresh salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The marinade creates this incredible sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully
  • Its one of those dishes that looks impressive but takes almost no effort
  • Leftovers reheat perfectly for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting step or all those wonderful juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in the chicken
  • The smell while this cooks is absolutely incredible, so maybe warn your family first
  • If you're using chicken breast instead, pull it off the heat a few minutes early so it doesn't dry out
03 -
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for cleanup that takes literally seconds
  • If you're meal prepping, the chicken tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a day

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