13/10/2026
๐ Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs with Caramelised Onions & Golden Syrup Drizzle
A mouthwatering recipe that gives you juicy, sticky, and flavour-packed chicken every time โ whether you cook it in the oven or the air fryer.
๐ง Ingredients
6 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on for best flavour)
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic granules (or 2 fresh garlic cloves, crushed)
ยฝ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
4 tbsp BBQ sauce (your favourite brand or homemade)
1 tbsp golden syrup (plus a drizzle for finishing)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, for extra depth)
๐ณ Method
1๏ธโฃ Prepare the chicken
Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic granules, and smoked paprika.
2๏ธโฃ Caramelise the onions
In a frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 8โ10 minutes until soft and golden.
Add a small drizzle of golden syrup and stir โ this gives a lovely sweet glaze.
3๏ธโฃ Make the sticky BBQ glaze
In a small bowl, mix:
BBQ sauce + golden syrup + Worcestershire sauce.
Stir well until combined.
4๏ธโฃ Coat the chicken
Place the chicken in a bowl or tray and pour over half the glaze.
Add the caramelised onions and mix gently so everything is coated.
๐ฅ Oven Method
1. Preheat oven to 190ยฐC (fan 170ยฐC).
2. Lay the chicken and onions on a baking tray lined with foil or parchment.
3. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, turning halfway and brushing with the remaining glaze.
Make sure you use a thermometer cook to an internal core temperature of 85ยฐc
4. For extra stickiness, drizzle a little golden syrup over the chicken in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
5. Rest for a few minutes before serving.
๐ Air Fryer Method
1. Preheat air fryer to 180ยฐC.
2. Place chicken thighs (skin side up) in the basket โ donโt overcrowd.
3. Cook for 22โ25 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze halfway through.
4. Add the caramelised onions for the last 5 minutes so they get slightly crisp and sticky.
5. Finish with a drizzle of golden syrup before serving.
Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or buttered corn on the cob.
Perfect for a midweek treat or BBQ-style weekend meal!
