Description
Succulent honey butter chicken brings Southern comfort to dinner tables with irresistible flavors. Golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory glaze promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken thighs or breasts (bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsps chicken broth
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken pieces with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, then thoroughly dust with cornstarch to create a crispy exterior.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high temperature (375°F), carefully frying chicken for 5-6 minutes until achieving a golden-brown, crisp texture. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, sautéing for approximately 60 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Incorporate honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice into the butter mixture. Optional: enhance depth by adding Dijon mustard and chicken broth.
- Allow sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, watching for slight thickening and intensifying of flavors.
- Return crispy chicken pieces to the skillet, gently rotating to ensure complete sauce coverage and uniform coating.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and delicately garnishing with fresh parsley or cilantro for a vibrant presentation.
- Serve immediately while the chicken remains warm and sauce maintains its glossy consistency.
Notes
- Dredge chicken pieces evenly in cornstarch for an extra crispy exterior that seals in moisture and creates a golden-brown crust.
- Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios to control sweetness and saltiness, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
- Use medium heat when frying and simmering to prevent burning the garlic and sauce, ensuring a rich, caramelized finish without bitter notes.
- Swap regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free, and use alternative sweeteners like maple syrup for different flavor dimensions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg