Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Honey Garlic Chicken is a quick, sweet-savory dinner made with tender chicken coated in a sticky homemade honey garlic sauce. It’s packed with flavor from fresh garlic, soy sauce, and golden honey, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Ready in under 25 minutes, it’s an easy weeknight favorite that pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or veggies.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry.
- This helps the chicken brown instead of steam. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the chicken. Leave space between each piece so it sears instead of turning pale.
- Sear the chicken.
- Cook each side until golden. Don’t move the chicken too soon. Let the surface get color before flipping.
- Make the sauce.
- In a small bowl, mix honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Stir until the honey dissolves.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet.
- Lower the heat. Let the sauce simmer around the chicken. It should bubble gently.
- Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- The sauce will reduce and thicken. If you want it thicker, stir in a small cornstarch slurry.
- Taste and adjust.
- Add more honey for sweetness, more soy sauce for salt, or a splash of broth to thin the sauce.
- Serve with the extra sauce on top.
- Rice, noodles, and steamed vegetables work well with this dish.
Video
Notes
📝 Notes
- Use chicken thighs for extra juicy results.
- Fresh garlic gives the strongest flavor; avoid jarred if possible.
- Swap soy sauce with coconut aminos for a lower-sodium option.
- Add chili flakes for a sweet-spicy version.
- Sear chicken well to build flavor before simmering in the sauce.
- Simmer sauce until thick and sticky; add cornstarch if needed.
- Store leftovers up to 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop to keep the sauce glossy.