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Crispy beer chicken thighs searing in a cast iron skillet with golden skin and garlic honey beer sauce

Beer Chicken

Juicy, crispy bone-in chicken thighs marinated in beer, garlic, thyme, and honey, then pan-seared and finished in a rich reduced beer sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 829

Ingredients
  

  • 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • kosher salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley optional for garnish
  • 12 fl_oz Corona beer or light-bodied lager for marinade
  • 5 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for the skillet at cook time

Equipment

  • Large skillet or cast-iron pan
  • Small saucepan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Skewer or fork

Method
 

  1. Wash and pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Dry skin is essential for a crispy sear.
  2. Pierce the chicken through the skin several times with a skewer or fork. Place in a large bowl. Add the beer, crushed garlic, fresh thyme, bouillon granules, and honey. Stir gently to combine. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for 4 hours. Flip at the 2-hour mark for even marinating.
  3. Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve the liquid. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil just begins to smoke, place the chicken skin-side down. Do not move it. Sear for 5 to 7 minutes until deeply golden and the skin releases naturally. Flip and sear the other side for another 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
  4. Pour the reserved marinade into a separate small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a full boil and reduce by half, about 4 to 5 minutes. This step is required for food safety and builds a rich, concentrated sauce.
  5. Pour the reduced marinade over the chicken in the skillet. Raise heat back to medium-high. Let the sauce reduce for another 3 to 4 minutes, basting frequently, until it thickens into a glossy coating. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Always boil the reserved marinade before adding it back to the pan. Use bone-in skin-on thighs for best results. Any light lager works in place of Corona. Avoid dark or bitter beers. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days.