Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

This Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe is a simple one pan meal that cooks fast and tastes rich. You only need a few pantry ingredients and about 20–25 minutes on the stove. I share this version on homeandfiesta because it’s a good option for busy weeknights. The chicken stays tender, and the sauce has a clean balance of sweet, salty, and garlicky flavors. Serve it over rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Honey Garlic Chicken

What Is Honey Garlic Chicken?

Honey garlic chicken is seared chicken cooked in a sweet and savory sauce. The sauce is made with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Everything simmers in one pan until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. You can use chicken breasts or thighs. Both work well and stay juicy when cooked right.

This dish is popular because it uses common ingredients. The steps are simple, and you can adjust the flavor to your taste. If you want more sweetness, add extra honey. If you want more depth, add a splash of vinegar or chili flakes.

Ingredients You Need

• Chicken
• 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts or thighs (about 3–4 pieces)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil for searing
• Honey Garlic Sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• Optional Thickener
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water (to mix with cornstarch)
• Optional Add-Ins
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Full Steps

1. Pat the chicken dry.
2. This helps the chicken brown instead of steam. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. When the oil is hot, add the chicken. Leave space between each piece so it sears instead of turning pale.
5. Sear the chicken.
6. Cook each side until golden. Don’t move the chicken too soon. Let the surface get color before flipping.
7. Make the sauce.
8. In a small bowl, mix honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Stir until the honey dissolves.
9. Pour the sauce into the skillet.
10. Lower the heat. Let the sauce simmer around the chicken. It should bubble gently.
11. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F.
12. The sauce will reduce and thicken. If you want it thicker, stir in a small cornstarch slurry.
13. Taste and adjust.
14. Add more honey for sweetness, more soy sauce for salt, or a splash of broth to thin the sauce.
15. Serve with the extra sauce on top.
16. Rice, noodles, and steamed vegetables work well with this dish.

Why This Recipe Works

• Browning builds flavor.
  Searing the chicken first adds a deeper taste and helps the sauce cling to the meat.
• Simple sauce with balanced flavor.
  Honey gives sweetness, soy sauce adds salt, and garlic adds sharpness. Broth pulls everything together.
• One pan from start to finish.
  Less cleanup and faster cooking make this an easy weeknight meal.

This dish also reheats well. The sauce helps keep the chicken moist, so leftovers hold up for a few days.

Variations You Can Try

You can change the flavor without extra work:

• Add heat.
  Stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Add vegetables.
  Try broccoli, snow peas, or bell peppers. Add them in the last 5–7 minutes so they stay crisp.
• Use chicken thighs.
  Thighs stay juicy and work well with sweet sauces.
• Add ginger.
  A little fresh ginger gives more depth and brightness.

These small changes help you adjust the recipe to what you have on hand.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken

• Don’t rush the sear.
  Let the chicken sit in the pan long enough to turn golden. This step builds most of the flavor.
• Don’t boil the sauce.
  Keep the heat low once the sauce is in the pan. Boiling can burn the honey and make the chicken dry.
• Taste before serving.
  Adjust the salt or sweetness. This makes the dish feel balanced.
• Use fresh garlic.
  It gives a stronger and cleaner flavor than jarred garlic.

What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken

This dish works with many sides. Here are good pairings:

• Steamed rice or fried rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Noodles
• Roasted vegetables
• Stir-fried broccoli

Storage and Reheating

You can store this dish for 3–4 days in the fridge.

• Let the chicken cool.
  Place it in an airtight container with the sauce.
• Reheat on the stove.
  Add a small splash of water to loosen the sauce.
• Freeze without cornstarch.
  If you plan to freeze the dish, don’t thicken the sauce yet. Cornstarch can separate when frozen.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes. Thighs stay juicy and hold flavor well.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Stir it in and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Can I bake honey garlic chicken?

Yes. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes. Pour the sauce on halfway through baking so it doesn’t burn.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. You can make the sauce earlier in the day and store it in the fridge. Cook the chicken fresh when ready.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes. Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Can I double the sauce?

Yes. This works well if you serve the chicken with rice or noodles. Just keep the simmer low so the sauce doesn’t burn.

Conclusion & Next Steps

This Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe gives you a fast dinner that tastes rich and balanced. The sauce comes together in minutes and works with many sides. You can adjust the flavor, add vegetables, or use thighs if you want something more tender. This is a simple meal that fits into any weeknight.

If you want more easy chicken meals, check out my other recipes on homeandfiesta. Try it once, print the recipe, and keep it in rotation for busy nights. And if you make it, leave a rating or comment so others know how it turned out for you.