Easy Honey Garlic Chicken

This easy honey garlic chicken features tender chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory homemade sauce made with honey, fresh garlic, soy sauce, and butter. It is a simple skillet dinner that pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables.

If you are looking for a flavorful chicken dinner made with everyday ingredients, this recipe is an easy choice for busy weeknights. The sauce comes together in the same pan, giving the chicken a glossy coating and plenty of flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Made with simple ingredients available in most grocery stores.
• Prepared in one skillet for easier cleanup.
• Features a sweet and savory homemade honey garlic sauce.
• Pairs well with rice, noodles, vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
• Easy to adapt with extra heat, fresh herbs, or different side dishes.
• Suitable for family dinners and straightforward meal planning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Optional Garnishes

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh parsley

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Chicken breasts: Slice larger chicken breasts horizontally into thinner pieces so they cook more evenly. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used, but cooking times may differ.

Honey: Honey gives the sauce its sweetness and glossy finish. Maple syrup offers a different flavor if you need an alternative.

Soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce helps prevent the sauce from becoming overly salty. If using regular soy sauce, consider reducing the amount slightly and tasting the sauce before adding more seasoning.

Garlic: Fresh garlic provides the strongest flavor. Minced jarred garlic can work when needed.

Chicken broth: Broth adds extra flavor, while water can be used if you do not have broth available.

Red pepper flakes: Add them if you prefer a slightly spicy sauce, or leave them out for a milder family dinner.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. If the chicken breasts are particularly thick, slice them horizontally or pound them gently to a more even thickness.

Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the chicken lightly with flour and shake off any excess.

The flour helps create a light golden coating and allows the sauce to cling to the chicken.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the chicken and cook for approximately 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Cook until the exterior is golden brown and the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate.

Avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches so the pieces brown properly.

Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and stir for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Add the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and remaining tablespoon of butter.

Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

If using red pepper flakes, add them now.

Let the sauce simmer gently for approximately 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Add the Chicken Back to the Skillet

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over each piece.

Allow the chicken to warm through for another 1 to 2 minutes while the sauce coats the surface.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of water or chicken broth. If it seems too thin, let it simmer briefly until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Remove the skillet from the heat.

Sprinkle the chicken with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh parsley.

Serve immediately with steamed rice, roasted broccoli, noodles, or your favorite vegetables.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken

Use evenly sized chicken pieces. Similar thickness helps the chicken cook more consistently.

Dry the chicken before seasoning. Excess moisture makes browning more difficult.

Keep an eye on the garlic. Garlic can burn quickly, especially when the pan is still very hot.

Simmer the sauce gently. High heat can cause the honey to darken too quickly.

Check the internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F at its thickest point.

Taste before adding extra salt. Soy sauce already contributes saltiness to the sauce.

Adjust the consistency. Add a little broth for a thinner sauce or simmer briefly for a thicker glaze.

What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken

This chicken pairs well with a variety of simple side dishes:

• Steamed white rice
• Brown rice
• Garlic butter noodles
• Roasted broccoli
• Stir-fried green beans
• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted carrots
• Cauliflower rice
• Simple cucumber salad
• Sesame noodles

For a complete family dinner, serve the chicken over rice with roasted broccoli and spoon extra honey garlic sauce over the top.

If you enjoy easy chicken dinners, you may also like our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.

Easy Recipe Variations

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken

Add extra red pepper flakes or a small amount of your favorite hot sauce.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Adjust the cooking time as needed and confirm that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.

Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before seasoning and cooking. Smaller pieces may cook faster, so monitor them carefully.

Extra-Saucy Honey Garlic Chicken

Increase the sauce ingredients proportionally if you want additional sauce for rice or noodles.

Honey Garlic Chicken With Vegetables

Add cooked broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to the skillet before serving.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Allow the chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator and use them within 3 to 4 days.

To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of water or chicken broth. Heat until the leftovers reach 165°F.

You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring or repositioning the food as needed so it heats evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and provide a slightly richer flavor. Cooking times may vary, so check that the chicken reaches 165°F.

Can I make honey garlic chicken without flour?

Yes. You can leave out the flour, although the chicken may have a less pronounced golden coating and the sauce may not cling quite as strongly.

How do I thicken honey garlic sauce?

Simmer the sauce gently until it reduces. If necessary, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water, add it gradually, and cook until the sauce thickens.

Can I make the sauce less sweet?

Reduce the honey slightly and increase the chicken broth. Taste the sauce and adjust until the balance suits your preferences.

What vegetables go well with honey garlic chicken?

Broccoli, green beans, snap peas, carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini all pair well with the sweet and savory sauce.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can combine the sauce ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. Cook the chicken and finish the sauce when you are ready to serve.

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

If you enjoyed this honey garlic chicken, explore more easy dinner ideas:

• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Tuscan Chicken
• Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
• Easy Chicken and Rice
• One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

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Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Card

Recipe name: Easy Honey Garlic Chicken

Cuisine: American-inspired

Course: Dinner

Estimated preparation time: 10 minutes

Estimated cooking time: 20 minutes

Estimated total time: 30 minutes

Servings: Approximately 4

Cooking times depend on the size and thickness of the chicken and should be confirmed when you prepare the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• Green onions or sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Coat the chicken lightly with flour.
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook the chicken until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate.
6. Add garlic to the skillet and cook briefly.
7. Stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, chicken broth, and the remaining butter.
8. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
9. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over it.
10. Garnish and serve with rice, noodles, or vegetables.