Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken with a sweet and savory sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup cornstarch (for light crispiness)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, for depth of flavor)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (to thicken)
• Cooked jasmine rice or noodles, for serving
• Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Lightly coat each piece in cornstarch to help create a slight crispiness when cooking.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss in the sauce until fully coated. Let it simmer together for 2 more minutes to absorb the flavors.
6. Step 6: Serve the chicken over cooked jasmine rice or noodles, and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh and crunchy finish.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, you can double coat the chicken with cornstarch and let it rest for 10 minutes before cooking.
• Substitute honey with maple syrup or brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
• Add steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or snap peas to make it a complete meal.
• Use chicken thighs for more juicy and flavorful results.

Storage

Store any leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to keep the sauce thick and the chicken tender. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the chicken.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe and tend to be juicier and more flavorful. Just adjust cooking time if needed to ensure they’re fully cooked.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free without compromising flavor.

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 70 reviews

Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfectly balanced with the richness of soy sauce and a hint of garlic, this dish comes together quickly and is ideal served over jasmine rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup cornstarch (for light crispiness)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, for depth of flavor)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (to thicken)

For Serving

• Cooked jasmine rice or noodles
• Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and black pepper. Lightly coat the chicken pieces evenly in cornstarch to help create a slight crispiness during cooking.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then slowly add the cornstarch slurry, stirring consistently. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Coat the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to fully coat with the thickened honey garlic sauce. Let it simmer together for an additional 2 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
5. Serve & Enjoy: Plate the honey garlic chicken over cooked jasmine rice or noodles, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious meal.

Notes

• For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken in cornstarch before searing.
• Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of heat or omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Sesame oil is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor and aroma.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to maintain the sauce’s consistency.

Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe, Asian Chicken, Pan-Seared Chicken, Honey Chicken Sauce