Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, 30-minute dinner loaded with flavor and coated in a rich, sticky sauce.
Honey Garlic Chicken
These Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are a family favorite and a big hit on the site and social media.
The top question I get about this recipe is how to make it without an Instant Pot or Crockpot for a fast, 30-minute weeknight meal.
So, I got to work and perfected a quicker stovetop version! It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner—fast, easy, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need for Honey Garlic Chicken:
- Chicken breast: Slice thinly for quick, even cooking.
- Flour: Creates a light crust and nicely thickens the sauce.
- Butter: Adds rich flavor. Use unsalted to manage salt levels.
- Garlic powder: An easy way to get that garlic flavor without mincing.
- Paprika: Adds color and lots of flavor.
- Soy sauce: Regular soy sauce gives the right balance of saltiness and flavor.
- Honey: Sweetens the dish and makes the sauce sticky.
- Ketchup: Adds tanginess and helps thicken the sauce. Use a good brand here!
- Optional: Sesame seeds for crunch and green onions for a fresh finish.
Top Tips For Making Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken: Slice evenly for quick, even cooking. Use thighs for more flavor.
- Coating: Shake off extra flour to avoid a sticky texture.
- Butter: Use most for cooking and save a little to boost garlic flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Simple to use, but fresh garlic works too.
- Sauce: If it’s too thick, add a splash of water to thin it.
- Spice: If you like hot honey chicken, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce!
- Serving: Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with rice, noodles, or veggies.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken
- Rice: White rice or jasmine rice soaks up the sauce perfectly.
- Fried Rice: Adds extra flavor and pairs well with the chicken.
- Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, or asparagus for some color!
- Salad: A light everyday salad or Asian-inspired cucumber salad for freshness.
- Bread: Serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls to mop up the sauce.
Storage
How to Store Honey Garlic Chicken
- Best Fresh: This dish is best enjoyed right off the stovetop for the freshest flavor and texture.
- Fridge: Store cooled chicken and sauce in a container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a pan on low heat. Add a little water if the sauce is too thick.
More Chicken Dinners:
- Chicken Cutlets easy pan-fried chicken
- Chicken Corn Chowder made in the CrockPot
- Healthy Chicken Salad made with Greek yogurt
- Chicken Orzo made in one pot
- Asian Chicken Wraps with crispy chicken and the best dressing!
Honey Garlic Chicken
In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy Honey Garlic Chicken—a quick, delicious meal with tender chicken and a sticky, flavorful sauce.
Equipment
- Large non-stick pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 small, even-sized breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup flour see note 1
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce regular, not lite
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- Sesame seeds optional, for serving
- Green onions optional, for serving
- Cooked white rice optional, for serving
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 even pieces. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Add the flour to a shallow dish. Dredge the chicken in the flour, ensuring an even coating. Shake off the excess.
- Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Once butter is melted and pan is hot, add chicken in the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes on one side, or until golden. Flip and cook for 1 minute on the other side. Reduce the heat to medium-high.
- Add soy sauce, honey, and ketchup to the skillet. Stir around the chicken until combined, then bring to a simmer. Cook for 1 minute, or until the sauce thickens slightly and chicken is cooked through.
- Turn the chicken to coat it evenly in the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve chicken over rice, if using, and drizzle with the remaining sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: The flour helps create a light crust on the chicken and thickens the sauce slightly.
Storage: This dish is best enjoyed fresh off the stovetop for the best flavor and texture. To store, keep cooled chicken and sauce in a container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a pan on low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 50.5g | Protein: 36.4g | Fat: 19.6g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 646.4mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 38.7g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
