Bone-in thighs are one of the best deals at the meat counter, and they stay juicy even if you roast them a few minutes too long. A quick honey, soy and garlic glaze turns them sticky and dark in the oven while the rice and broccoli cook on the side.
Ingredients and cost
Each cost is for the amount this recipe uses. Pantry items like oil, spices and soy sauce cost more on your first trip, then last for many meals.
| Ingredient | Price used | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on2 lb (about 6 thighs) | $1.74/lbBLS, Sep 2026 · priced as bone-in chicken legs | $3.48 |
| Long-grain white rice1½ cups uncooked (10 oz) | $1.12/lbBLS, Sep 2026 | $0.70 |
| Frozen broccoli12 oz bag | $2.57/lbUSDA, 2023 | $1.93 |
| Honey⅓ cup (4 oz) | $0.40/ozEstimate | $1.60 |
| Soy sauce¼ cup | $0.08/tbspEstimate | $0.32 |
| Garlic5 cloves, minced | $0.06/cloveEstimate | $0.30 |
| Onion½ small, finely chopped (3 oz) | $1.06/lbUSDA, 2023 | $0.20 |
| Vegetable oil1 tbsp | $0.05/tbspEstimate | $0.05 |
| Salt and black pepperto taste | $0.05/dishEstimate | $0.05 |
| Total | $8.63 | |
| Per serving (serves 4) | $2.16 |
Directions
- Start the rice: bring 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt to a boil, stir in the rice, cover, and simmer on low for 18 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave it covered.
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken skin side down, without moving it, until the skin is deep golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Move it to a plate.
- Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of the fat. Cook the onion and garlic over medium heat for 2 minutes, then stir in the honey and soy sauce and let it bubble for 1 minute.
- Put the chicken back in the pan skin side up, spoon some sauce over it, and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the thickest thigh reads at least 165°F (175°F is even better for thighs).
- While the chicken roasts, cook the broccoli as the package directs.
- Serve the chicken over the rice with broccoli on the side, and spoon the pan sauce over everything.
Budget tips
- BLS doesn't track thighs on their own, so the chicken is priced at its average for bone-in chicken legs ($1.74/lb), which covers thighs, drumsticks and leg quarters. Boneless, skinless thighs usually cost more and roast in about 15 minutes.
- Leg quarters are often the cheapest chicken in the store, and this glaze works on them too. Roast them for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Make extra rice. Cold leftover rice is what makes egg fried rice work.
How we priced this recipe
- BLS, Sep 2026: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data, U.S. city average, September 2026.
- USDA, 2023: USDA Economic Research Service, Fruit and Vegetable Prices, 2023 (the latest year published).
- Estimate: Food Butler estimate of a typical U.S. store-brand shelf price, October 2026. Neither BLS nor USDA publishes an average price for these items.
Your store's prices will differ. See all priced recipes.