Name: Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); ⅓ cup honey; ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening); Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

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If you’re on the hunt for a sweet, savory, and utterly crave-worthy dish that’s both fast and satisfying, look no further than Honey Garlic Chicken. This recipe is my secret weapon for busy weeknights, impressing guests, or simply turning up the flavor on an ordinary dinner. Imagine tender, golden chicken smothered in a glossy glaze that dances between garlicky, tangy, and just the right kiss of heat—with every bite, you’ll see why it’s an absolute favorite in my kitchen!

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Honey Garlic Chicken so fabulous is the line-up of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients—each one brings its own punch of character, color, and irresistible flavor. Here’s exactly what you’ll need and why it matters:

Chicken thighs or breasts: Go for boneless, skinless cuts for speedy cooking and juicy results. Thighs offer extra richness, while breasts are lean and tender.
Olive oil: Adds depth and helps achieve that irresistible golden sear on the chicken.
Fresh garlic: Four cloves minced brings bold aroma and the signature garlic kick in the sauce.
Honey: The star of the show! Honey provides a natural sweetness and a luscious, sticky texture.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Balances the sweet and savory notes, keeping the sauce from becoming too salty.
Apple cider or rice vinegar: Offers just the right amount of tang to brighten everything up.
Ground black pepper: Enhances all the flavors while giving a little warmth to the marinade.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a gentle spicy kick.
Cornstarch & water (optional): This quick slurry is the secret to a glossy, thick sauce that clings to every bite.
Chopped green onions & sesame seeds: These fresh garnishes give that finishing touch of color and crunch.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat your chicken dry and sprinkle with black pepper; this not only seasons the meat but also helps it achieve that gorgeous, caramelized crust. Sear each side for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they’re beautifully golden and almost cooked through. The aroma alone will have you counting the seconds until dinner!

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

With your chicken resting on a plate, toss the minced garlic into the same skillet and sauté for just 30 seconds. Stir constantly so the garlic doesn’t burn. This quick step releases all those irresistible garlicky oils into the pan, forming the backbone of your sauce.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium, then add honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and those optional red pepper flakes. Give everything a good stir. Let the mixture gently simmer for two minutes, bubbling into a golden-brown, sweet-savory glaze that smells absolutely incredible.

Step 4: Finish the Chicken

Slice or return your chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Let everything simmer together for another 4 to 5 minutes, spooning the sauce over each piece so it soaks into every crevice. Check for doneness—the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and look gorgeously lacquered.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)

If you want a thicker glaze, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir it into the bubbly sauce and watch as it turns glossy within a minute or two, perfectly coating the chicken for that classic Honey Garlic Chicken look.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds adds vibrant color, a pop of crunch, and a fresh bite that contrasts beautifully with the sticky sauce. These simple garnishes take Honey Garlic Chicken from homey to restaurant-worthy in seconds!

Side Dishes

Serve your Honey Garlic Chicken over a mound of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up every drop of the sauce. It’s also amazing with quinoa or a bed of steamed vegetables for a lighter, nutrient-packed meal. Stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy all pair perfectly with these bold flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, slice the chicken and pile it onto lettuce wraps, or tuck it into steamed bao buns with a quick pickle for crunch. If you love meal prepping, portion it into bento bowls with rice and edamame for easy lunches that will be the envy of the office.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pack any leftover Honey Garlic Chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavor only deepens as it sits, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to! Just be sure to keep the sauce with the chicken to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing

Honey Garlic Chicken freezes beautifully. Allow the chicken and sauce to cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to two months. To avoid freezer burn, press a piece of parchment onto the surface before sealing.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, to ensure the sauce stays glossy and the chicken tender.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Both work beautifully. If you use chicken breasts, just be careful not to overcook, as white meat can dry out faster than thighs.

Is it possible to make Honey Garlic Chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the chicken and sauce up to two days in advance. Simply reheat gently when you’re ready to serve, and add a sprinkle of fresh green onion to revive that pop of flavor.

What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?

No worries! Rice vinegar is a great substitute, or even a splash of white wine vinegar in a pinch. Each will add a slightly different tang, but all are delicious.

Can I double the sauce for extra coverage?

Definitely. If you love extra sauce for spooning over rice or veggies, just double the sauce ingredients and follow the rest of the recipe as written.

How spicy is this dish?

Without red pepper flakes, Honey Garlic Chicken is mild and family-friendly. If you like a hint of heat, just add those flakes to taste—the sauce is very adaptable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a meal that’s bright, flavorful, and ready in a snap, this Honey Garlic Chicken leaves no box unchecked. With a tangy, sticky-sweet sauce and plenty of ways to adapt it to your tastes, I hope you give it a try soon and see why it’s a go-to in my own kitchen!

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy dish that combines the sweetness of honey with savory garlic and soy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this Asian-inspired dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with black pepper and sear on both sides until golden brown and nearly cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side.
Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Reduce heat to medium and stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes.
Return the chicken to the skillet and cook for another 4–5 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken, until fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
For a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.