Honey Garlic Chicken – This sweet and savory dish combines tender chicken coated in a sticky honey garlic glaze, making it a family favorite and a dinner-party hit.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples like honey, garlic, soy sauce, and chicken come together for an unforgettable meal.
- Quick Prep: With a few basic steps, you’ll have this dish ready in no time.
- Versatile: Great as a main course, over rice, or as an appetizer for gatherings.
- Customizable: Perfect for tweaking to suit your family’s taste preferences.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts for tender, juicy meat. Thighs offer more flavor, while breasts are leaner.
- Honey: Provides natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in the glaze.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the dish with aromatic depth.
- Soy Sauce: Balances the sweetness with a salty, umami punch.
- Cornstarch: For coating the chicken and thickening the sauce.
- Oil: Neutral oil like canola or vegetable for frying the chicken.
- Optional Garnishes: Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a professional touch.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken
- Get Crispy Chicken: Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Fry in small batches for evenly cooked, crispy pieces.
- Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce isn’t thick enough, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the simmering sauce.
- Adjust Sweetness: Prefer it less sweet? Reduce the honey slightly and add a dash of rice vinegar for tang.
Variations of Honey Garlic Chicken
- Baked Honey Garlic Chicken: Skip the frying by baking chicken pieces at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, then tossing them in the sauce.
- Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add chili flakes, Sriracha, or a splash of hot sauce to the glaze for a spicy kick.
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings: Use the same sauce to coat fried or baked chicken wings for a game-day snack.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken for tofu or cauliflower florets for a plant-based version.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken
- With Rice: A fluffy bed of steamed jasmine or basmati rice is the perfect base to soak up the sauce.
- With Noodles: Toss it with soba, udon, or egg noodles for an Asian-inspired twist.
- With Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed broccoli, bok choy, or a simple side salad for a balanced meal.
- As Appetizers: Serve bite-sized pieces with toothpicks at parties.
Storing and Reheating Honey Garlic Chicken
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
Warm on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Honey Garlic Chicken
Honey Garlic Chicken - This sweet and savory dish combines tender chicken coated in a sticky honey garlic glaze, making it a family favorite and a dinner-party hit.
Ingredients
- 500g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast (2 pieces)
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter (or 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or any clear vinegar)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (light or all-purpose)
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4 thin pieces. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with flour. Shake off the excess.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat most of the butter in a large skillet over high heat, reserving a teaspoon for later.
- Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on one side until golden, then flip and cook for another minute. Reduce the heat slightly.
- Make the Sauce: Push the chicken to the side of the pan. Add garlic and the remaining butter, cooking briefly until fragrant. Stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, and honey, letting it bubble and thicken slightly (about 1 minute).
- Coat the Chicken: Turn the chicken in the sauce to coat each piece thoroughly. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen it.
- Serve: Remove from heat, plate the chicken, and drizzle over the remaining sauce for a glossy finish. Enjoy immediately with rice, noodles, or your favorite veggies!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
4Amount Per Serving Calories 258Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 52mgSodium 319mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 0gSugar 23gProtein 11g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Chicken is a show-stopping dish that’s easy enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for special occasions. With its balance of sweet and savory flavors, endless customization options, and crowd-pleasing appeal, this recipe is bound to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you serve it with rice, noodles, or veggies, it’s a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Why do you have preheat oven to 375 and then you don’t use the oven at all
Thanks, mary! I have updated the recipe… I hope you enjoy my other recipes as well