Description
Succulent honey garlic chicken blends sweet and savory flavors from Asian cuisine. Home cooks can savor this simple, delicious meal that satisfies hunger and delights palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) honey
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) water
Aromatics and Thickeners:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Optional Garnish:
- sesame seeds
- chopped green onions
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a skillet at medium temperature for even heat distribution.
- Apply seasoning to chicken breasts with cracked pepper, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Lower heat and introduce minced garlic to the same pan, sautéing until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Pour honey, soy sauce, and water into the skillet, allowing ingredients to blend and create a smooth liquid base.
- Activate the sauce by bringing it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Combine cornstarch with water to create a smooth thickening agent, then gradually incorporate into the simmering sauce.
- Continuously stir the sauce until it reaches a glossy, slightly viscous consistency.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken into the pan, gently turning to ensure complete sauce coverage.
- Allow chicken to warm through in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer to serving plates and optionally sprinkle with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and chicken retains its juiciness.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs for juicier meat that absorbs sauce better and prevents drying out.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels, making the dish heart-friendly and suitable for those watching sodium intake.
- Create a gluten-free version by replacing standard soy sauce with tamari and ensuring cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
- Quickly marinate chicken in sauce for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg