Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken recipe. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory, creating a sticky, caramelized glaze that will have everyone asking for seconds. Best of all, it comes together in just 20 minutes, making it faster than takeout and infinitely more delicious.
We’re talking juicy, tender chicken coated in an irresistible sauce made from simple pantry staples. This is the kind of meal that solves the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma with spectacular results. It’s a family-friendly favorite that’s as easy to make as it is to devour.
Why This Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its sheer simplicity and massive flavor payoff. The honey-soy glaze is perfectly balanced, creating a sticky coating that clings to every piece of chicken. It’s a versatile dish that proves you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly special.
Incredibly Fast: From prep to plate in just 20 minutes, it’s ideal for busy evenings.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now.
Packed with Flavor: The sweet and savory glaze is addictively delicious.
Versatile: Perfect for dinner, lunch, or even meal prep for the week ahead.
The Magic Ingredients for the Perfect Sticky Glaze
The secret to this dish lies in the four-ingredient glaze. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors that makes this Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken so memorable.
Soy Sauce: Provides the savory, umami-rich base of the sauce. Use a low-sodium version to better control the saltiness.
Honey: Adds sweetness and is key to creating that sticky, caramelized texture.
Garlic & Ginger: These aromatics provide a warm, zesty punch that cuts through the richness. Freshly minced is always best for maximum flavor.
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended for their juicy texture, but chicken breasts work well too.
Patience is key—let the glaze simmer to get that perfect sticky consistency.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken
Making this dish is as simple as it gets. First, you’ll sear the chicken to lock in the juices, then you’ll create the quick pan sauce and let it thicken into a glorious glaze. It’s a straightforward process that delivers gourmet results.
Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Sear the Chicken: Heat a bit of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Create the Glaze: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the soy sauce and honey, stirring to combine.
Thicken and Coat: Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it bubble for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until each piece is coated in the sticky glaze.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then serve immediately.
Pro Tips for a Flawless Honey-Soy Glaze
A few simple tricks can take your glazed chicken from great to absolutely perfect. Follow these tips to ensure a beautifully sticky and flavorful result every time.
Control the Heat
Once you add the honey and soy sauce, keep the heat at a medium simmer. If the heat is too high, the honey can burn before the sauce has a chance to thicken properly. A gentle bubble is all you need.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure it gets a nice golden-brown sear. Overcrowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it, which means less flavor development. For another pan-seared favorite, check out this Marry Me Salmon recipe.
The perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite.
Let it Thicken
Be patient and give the glaze a few minutes to reduce and thicken. It will seem thin at first, but as it simmers, it will transform into a rich, syrupy glaze that coats the chicken perfectly.
What to Serve with Your Glazed Chicken
This Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a classic meal, serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all the extra glaze. Steamed broccoli, green beans, or bok choy add a fresh, crunchy element. For a different grain option, this easy Spanish Rice recipe is a fantastic side dish.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the glaze. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well. Just be sure to cut them into uniform 1-inch pieces and be careful not to overcook them, as they can dry out faster than thighs.
The key is to let the sauce simmer gently over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. This allows the water content to evaporate and the sugars in the honey to caramelize, naturally thickening the sauce into a perfect glaze.
For a spicy kick, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, a squirt of sriracha, or a finely minced red chili to the glaze when you add the garlic and ginger.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply replace the soy sauce with a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. The taste and consistency will be just as delicious.
More Delicious Dinner Ideas
If you loved this quick and easy dinner, you’ll be sure to enjoy our reader-favorite Butter Chicken Recipe (coming soon). For another simple weeknight meal, this Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is always a winner. We hope you enjoy this simple, delicious recipe! If you make it, we’d love for you to leave a comment and share it on Pinterest!
You're only 20 minutes away from this incredible Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken!
Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Recipe
FL Recipes
Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken: The Perfect 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner
This Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner, ready in just 20 minutes! Juicy chicken is tossed in a sweet and savory sticky glaze made with simple pantry staples for a meal the whole family will love.
1.5lbsboneless, skinless chicken thighscut into 1-inch pieces
1tbspvegetable oil
1/2cuplow-sodium soy sauce
1/3cuphoney
3clovesgarlicminced
1tbspfresh gingergrated
1tspsesame seedsfor garnish
2tbspsliced green onionsfor garnish
Equipment
1 Large Skillet
1 Mixing Bowl
Method
Pat the chicken thigh pieces dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the soy sauce and honey. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to bubble gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze has thickened slightly.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat the chicken completely in the sticky glaze. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 32gFat: 15gFiber: 1g
Notes
For a gluten-free version, substitute the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. For a bit of heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the glaze.
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 »
