Get ready to discover your new favorite Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. This dish strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, creating a sticky, glaze-like sauce that clings to every piece of tender chicken. If you’re searching for a quick, flavorful meal that the entire family will love, you’ve found it. Forget takeout; this simple recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in under 30 minutes.
We designed this recipe for the enthusiastic home cook who needs delicious meals without the fuss. It uses simple pantry staples to create an unforgettable dinner. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your culinary journey, this dish is foolproof.
Why This Is the Best Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its simplicity and incredible flavor. It’s a true one-pan wonder, minimizing cleanup and maximizing taste. The sauce, a simple concoction of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, thickens into a perfect glaze right in the pan.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile. While we love it with chicken thighs for their juicy tenderness, it works wonderfully with chicken breasts too. It’s a fantastic base recipe that you can easily adapt. Looking for another quick chicken meal? Our 30-Minute Baked Chicken Breast is another great option.
The simple secret to our irresistible sticky honey garlic sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, accessible ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect sticky honey garlic sauce and tender chicken.
Chicken: We recommend using 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces. They stay incredibly moist and tender.
For the Sauce:
Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
Honey: The star of the show, providing the signature sweetness.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor.
Ginger: Freshly grated ginger adds a warm, aromatic spice.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity to balance the sweetness of the honey.
Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, rich flavor to the sauce.
For the Chicken & Slurry:
Olive Oil: For searing the chicken.
Cornstarch: To create a crispy coating on the chicken and to thicken the sauce.
Salt and Black Pepper: To season the chicken.
Garnish (Optional):
Toasted sesame seeds
Sliced green onions
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and quick Honey Garlic Chicken dinner. It’s all about building layers of flavor in one pan.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season generously with salt and pepper, then toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until lightly coated. This helps create a slightly crispy exterior and helps the sauce cling to the meat.
Step 2: Mix the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil. Set this aside for later.
Getting that perfect golden-brown sear is key to flavorful chicken.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce and Combine
Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the same skillet. Bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened into a beautiful glaze. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat every piece in the sticky sauce.
Expert Tips for Perfect Results
Want to elevate your Honey Garlic Chicken? Here are a few expert tips.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. This ensures the chicken sears to a golden brown instead of steaming.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly minced garlic and grated ginger make a world of difference in the sauce’s flavor compared to their powdered counterparts.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce before adding the chicken back in. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey. If you want more tang, add a splash more vinegar.
If you enjoy this recipe’s comforting flavors, you might also love exploring other winter comfort food ideas for your next meal.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken
This versatile dish pairs well with many sides. For a classic meal, serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up the extra sauce. Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or bell peppers add a healthy and colorful crunch. For a lower-carb option, serve it alongside a fresh salad or with cauliflower rice. This dish is also a fantastic component in a hearty cauliflower bowl.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover Honey Garlic Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in short intervals until heated through.
Absolutely! You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into 1-inch cubes and be careful not to overcook them, as chicken breast can dry out more easily than thighs. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until just cooked through.
The recipe uses a cornstarch slurry which is the best way to thicken the sauce. If you want it even thicker, you can add another teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water. Simmer for an extra minute until it reaches your desired consistency.
If you need a soy-free option, you can use tamari for a gluten-free alternative or coconut aminos. If using coconut aminos, you may need to add a pinch more salt as it is less salty than soy sauce.
Yes, this is an excellent recipe for meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Portion it out with rice and steamed vegetables for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
Yes, you can adapt this for a slow cooker. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce ingredients (excluding the cornstarch slurry) over the top. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. In the last 30 minutes, remove the chicken, whisk in the cornstarch slurry, and cook on high until the sauce thickens.
Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner
This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights, delivering a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal with minimal effort. The combination of sweet, savory, and sticky is truly irresistible. We hope you love it as much as we do!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear how it turned out! For more delicious ideas, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
You won't believe how easy it is to make this sticky, sweet, and savory Honey Garlic Chicken at home!
Honey Garlic Chicken
FL Recipes
Honey Garlic Chicken: A 30-Minute Weeknight Dinner
This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is the perfect easy weeknight dinner, ready in under 30 minutes. Tender chicken is tossed in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce made with simple pantry staples.
Pat the chicken thighs dry and cut into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper, then toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until lightly coated.
In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet.
Pour the honey garlic sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until it thickens.
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the thickened sauce. Garnish with optional sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 32gFat: 20gFiber: 1g
Notes
For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and ginger. Ensure the chicken is cooked in a single layer to get a nice sear. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
