Craving a meal that’s bursting with flavor but short on time? This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is your answer. It’s a ridiculously easy, one-pan wonder that delivers a restaurant-quality dish in under 30 minutes. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken breast coated in an irresistibly sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Honey Garlic Chicken
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights. The magic lies in its simplicity and the perfect balance of flavors. The sauce, made with pantry staples, comes together in minutes and creates a beautiful glaze that clings to every piece of chicken. Plus, it’s all cooked in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup. It’s a wholesome, satisfying meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
The Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Flavor
The beauty of this Honey Garlic Chicken is its reliance on simple, accessible ingredients that combine to create something truly special. No need for a special trip to the store; you probably have most of these on hand already.
The perfect weeknight meal: Honey Garlic Chicken with rice and broccoli.
For the Chicken
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this recipe. They cook quickly and soak up the delicious sauce.
All-Purpose Flour: A light coating helps create a subtle crust on the chicken, which gives the sauce something to cling to.
Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken perfectly from the start.
Olive Oil & Butter: Using a combination gives you a high smoke point from the oil and rich flavor from the butter for the perfect sear.
For the Signature Honey Garlic Sauce
Honey: The star of the show, providing that signature sweetness and helping create the sticky glaze.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for a robust, aromatic flavor. Don’t skimp on it!
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds a deep, savory, umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of acidity brightens up the sauce and cuts through the richness.
Cornstarch: A cornstarch slurry is the secret to a thick, glossy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
Step-by-Step to Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken
Follow these simple steps to create a mouthwatering meal. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go, as the cooking process moves quickly.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with flour, salt, and pepper until they are lightly coated.
Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foamy, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a glaze-like consistency.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Gently toss everything together to ensure every piece of chicken is coated in the glorious honey garlic sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh parsley, and serve immediately. For another fantastic one-pan meal, check out this One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken.
Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
Unlock the full potential of this simple recipe with a few expert tips. These small adjustments can make a big difference in the final dish.
Look at that perfect, sticky honey garlic glaze!
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For a perfect golden-brown sear, cook the chicken in a single layer. If your skillet isn’t big enough, cook it in two batches. This ensures the chicken sears rather than steams.
Use Fresh Garlic: While garlic powder can work in a pinch, freshly minced garlic provides a much more potent and authentic flavor that is crucial for the sauce.
* Control the Heat: When you add the garlic and liquids for the sauce, lower the heat slightly to prevent the honey from burning and the garlic from becoming bitter.
Customize the Consistency: If your sauce gets too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of water or chicken broth at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve
This versatile Honey Garlic Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. You can keep it simple or create a more elaborate meal.
Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. For a similar dish, you might enjoy these Spicy Honey Chicken Bowls.
Vegetables: Steamed or roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are excellent choices that add a healthy, vibrant component to the meal.
Noodles: This dish is also fantastic served with lo mein noodles or rice noodles.
Quinoa: For a healthier, protein-packed option, serve the chicken alongside a bed of cooked quinoa.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
This dish is great for leftovers and meal prep. Proper storage ensures it tastes just as good the next day.
To Store: Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: You can reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals or gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the texture of the sauce can change upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. You may need to cook them a minute or two longer per side to ensure they are cooked through.
The secret is a cornstarch slurry. Mix one teaspoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then whisk it into the simmering sauce. It will thicken into a beautiful glaze in 1-2 minutes.
Yes, it’s excellent for meal prep. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop.
You can! Sear the chicken first as directed, then place it in a baking dish. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the chicken is cooked through.
For a spicy kick, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the sauce. This adds a lovely layer of heat that complements the sweetness of the honey.
More Weeknight Chicken Dinners to Try
FL Recipes
Honey Garlic Chicken: The Ultimate 30-Minute Recipe
This Honey Garlic Chicken is the ultimate 30-minute meal! Tender chicken is coated in a sticky, savory, and sweet honey garlic sauce, making it the perfect easy weeknight dinner for the whole family.
2lbsboneless, skinless chicken breastscut into 1-inch cubes
1/4cupall-purpose flour
1/2tspsalt
1/4tspblack pepper
1tbspolive oil
1tbspunsalted butter
1/2cuphoney
4clovesgarlicfinely minced
1/3cuplow-sodium soy sauce
1tbspapple cider vinegar
1tspcornstarchmixed with 1 tbsp water
Equipment
1 Large Skillet
2 Mixing Bowls
Method
Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with flour, salt, and pepper until they are lightly coated.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar, and bring to a simmer.
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 38gFat: 15gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For a bit of heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Tip 2: Ensure your chicken pieces are cut to a uniform size for even cooking.
We are confident this Honey Garlic Chicken will become a staple in your dinner rotation. It’s quick, flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share a photo and tag us, or save it to your favorite board on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations inspire us!
The only Honey Garlic Chicken recipe you'll ever need!
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 »
