Irresistible Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting a mouthwatering honey garlic chicken recipe can turn an ordinary dinner into a memorable feast.

Sticky, sweet glazes promise incredible flavor combinations that dance across your plate.

Weeknight meals suddenly become something special with just a few simple ingredients.

Home cooks appreciate quick and delectable dishes that impress without complex techniques.

Marinating chicken in this blend creates tender, juicy results that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Each bite combines robust garlic notes with smooth honey undertones.

Rich protein paired with aromatic seasonings guarantees a meal you won’t forget.

Dive into this culinary adventure and watch magic happen in your kitchen.

Ingredients For Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and versatile meat that serves as the main protein in this dish.

• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy coating for the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth of flavor and a savory umami element to the sauce.
• Vinegar: Brings a tangy balance to the sweet honey and enhances the overall sauce complexity.

• Garlic: Offers a pungent and aromatic base that intensifies the sauce's flavor profile.

• Cornstarch: Helps to create a smooth and glossy sauce texture.
• Water: Used to dissolve cornstarch and adjust sauce consistency.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Olive Oil: Provides a medium for cooking and adds a subtle richness.

• Fresh Parsley, Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add color, freshness, and a final layer of texture to the dish.

How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Spice Up the Chicken

Generously season chicken pieces with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place chicken into the hot pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms and chicken is fully cooked through. Transfer chicken to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Awaken the Garlic

In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté quickly until it becomes wonderfully aromatic and just begins to turn golden, which takes about 30-60 seconds.

Step 4: Create the Magical Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Water

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

• Cornstarch
• Cold water

Pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thick consistency.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently turning each piece to ensure complete coverage with the luscious sauce.

Cook for an additional 2 minutes to marry the flavors.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Tips For Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken

• Always use chicken breasts of similar thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and better sauce adherence.
• Adjust honey amount based on sweetness preference, adding more or less without compromising sauce consistency.
• Create a gluten-free version by replacing soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for sensitive diets.
• Let chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain maximum juiciness and absorb delicious sauce flavors.

Flavor Variations For Honey Garlic Chicken

• Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a kickin' heat level that elevates the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Incorporate oregano, thyme, and rosemary into the seasoning, replacing traditional salt and pepper for a fresh Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Asian Fusion Chicken: Replace regular vinegar with rice wine vinegar and add ginger and five-spice powder to create an authentic Asian-inspired sauce.
• Lemon Herb Chicken: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the sauce and sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like basil and parsley for a bright, zesty variation.

Best Pairings For Honey Garlic Chicken

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve the honey garlic chicken over fluffy white rice, creating a comforting meal that soaks up the delicious sauce. Sprinkle extra green onions on top for a fresh crunch.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack chicken portions with steamed broccoli and brown rice in meal prep containers for a quick, protein-packed lunch that stays tasty and moist throughout the week.
• Elegant Appetizer Twist: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve on small skewers with toothpicks during gatherings. Drizzle extra sauce on top and garnish with sesame seeds for an impressive party bite that guests will devour.

Proper Storage For Honey Garlic Chicken

• Transfer leftover honey garlic chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Carefully place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating.
• When storing or reheating, gently stir the chicken to redistribute the sauce and maintain its original texture and flavor profile.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming tough?

Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to help tenderize the meat and ensure it stays juicy during the cooking process.

• Can I use a different type of vinegar?

Yes, you can substitute rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a similar tangy flavor profile in the sauce.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.

• What if I don't have fresh garlic?

You can use garlic powder as a substitute, using about 1/2 teaspoon for every clove of fresh garlic called for in the recipe.

Honey Garlic Chicken Highlights

• Devour Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This casserole transforms classic ravioli into a mouthwatering dish that guarantees smiles around the dinner table, making it perfect for family gatherings and potlucks.
• Create Minimal Effort Gourmet: Using frozen ravioli and simple ingredients, you'll craft a restaurant-quality meal without complicated cooking techniques, allowing even novice cooks to produce a delicious masterpiece.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Swap ground beef for Italian sausage, choose different cheese combinations, or add vegetables to personalize this versatile recipe that adapts to individual tastes and dietary preferences.
• Maximize Convenience Meal: This one-pan wonder reduces kitchen cleanup, combines protein and pasta in a single dish, and can be prepared ahead of time, making it an ideal solution for busy weeknight dinners.

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent honey garlic chicken brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with incredible depth and balance. Elegant ingredients combine seamlessly, creating a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless, skinless
• 4 tbsps honey
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsps soy sauce (low sodium)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Parsley, fresh, chopped (for garnish)
• Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Generously sprinkle salt and pepper across chicken pieces, ensuring even coating.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, carefully placing chicken and cooking 5-7 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and reaching full internal doneness. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
3. Without cleaning the skillet, introduce minced garlic and quickly sauté until releasing aromatic notes, approximately 30-45 seconds.
4. Pour honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and water into the skillet, gently stirring and allowing mixture to softly bubble and combine.
5. Whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth, then gradually incorporate into simmering sauce, continuously stirring until sauce transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency.
6. Carefully return chicken to the skillet, delicately rotating pieces to ensure complete sauce coverage, and allow to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes to marry flavors.
7. For enhanced presentation, elegantly sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, thinly sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds across the glazed chicken surface before serving.

Notes

• Marinate chicken beforehand in soy sauce and garlic for deeper flavor infusion and more tender meat.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier results that stay moist during cooking.
• Adjust honey quantity based on preferred sweetness level, keeping balance with salty soy sauce.
• Replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder for gluten-free version and equally smooth sauce texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 305 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg