As the evening rush hits after a long day juggling work and family, there’s something deeply satisfying about a meal that comes together quickly without sacrificing flavor. This honey garlic chicken delivers tender bites enveloped in a glossy, sweet-savory glaze that clings just right, making every forkful a comforting escape. It’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent yet effortless, highlighting the natural sweetness of honey balanced with savory soy.
What draws people to this recipe is its versatility for busy schedules, ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for pairing with simple sides like rice or veggies. Leftovers reheat beautifully, keeping that glossy sauce intact for lunch the next day. Busy moms and professionals alike appreciate how it turns basic pantry staples into a family favorite that everyone cleans their plates for.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick Weeknight Win: This honey garlic chicken is ready in just 25 minutes, ideal for hectic evenings without compromising on bold flavors.
- One-Pan Simplicity: Minimal cleanup means more time to relax, as everything cooks in a single skillet for tender, sauce-coated chicken.
- Family-Pleasing Taste: The sweet-savory glaze appeals to all ages, with optional heat from sriracha to customize mild or spicy.
- Versatile and Forgiving: Easily scales for crowds or adapts with swaps, ensuring juicy results even for novice cooks.
One-Pan Honey Garlic Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
A quick and flavorful one-pan honey garlic chicken recipe featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy sweet-savory sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, for heat)
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha (if using), toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Cut the chicken breasts into uniform ½-inch pieces. Season them with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Toss the seasoned chicken pieces with all-purpose flour until each piece is evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil. Once hot, add half of the floured chicken pieces to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook until nicely browned on all sides and fully cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken and repeat with the remaining batch.
- Once all the chicken is cooked, return it to the skillet. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Serve hot, perhaps over rice, and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Sriracha is optional and can be adjusted or omitted for a milder flavor.
- This recipe serves best with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the sauce.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for added texture and color.
Ingredients to make Honey Garlic Chicken
The ingredients in this honey garlic chicken come together seamlessly, with honey providing natural sweetness and soy sauce adding umami depth, while good-quality staples like fresh chicken ensure a tender, flavorful result every time.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts – The base protein that stays juicy when cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Salt – Enhances overall flavor without overpowering the sweet-savory elements.
- Black pepper – Adds a subtle kick to season the chicken before coating.
- Garlic powder – Infuses aromatic notes that complement the sauce’s garlic-inspired profile.
- All-purpose flour – Creates a light coating for browning and sauce adhesion; use cornstarch for gluten-free.
- Cooking oil – Neutral base for high-heat searing to lock in chicken tenderness.
- Honey – Delivers glossy sweetness that balances the savory components beautifully.
- Soy sauce – Provides salty umami to round out the glaze’s depth.
- Rice vinegar – Adds a touch of tang to brighten the overall sauce.
- Sriracha – Optional heat element that can be adjusted or skipped for milder palates.
- Toasted sesame oil – Contributes nutty aroma for an authentic Asian-inspired finish.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce quickly into a clingy, glossy coating.
Dive deeper into the instructions below for foolproof results, including the full recipe card with precise measurements at the bottom.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the sauce
Combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha if using, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk everything until smooth to ensure the cornstarch dissolves fully, preventing lumps later. Set the mixture aside while you prep the chicken for seamless assembly.
Step 2: Season the chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into uniform ½-inch pieces to promote even cooking. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, rubbing the spices in gently for full coverage. This step builds the base flavor before coating.
Step 3: Coat the chicken
Toss the seasoned chicken pieces with all-purpose flour until each one is lightly and evenly coated. The flour helps create a subtle crust during cooking, which the sauce will cling to beautifully. Shake off any excess to avoid a heavy batter.
Step 4: Cook the chicken in batches
Heat a large skillet over medium-high with the cooking oil until shimmering. Add half the floured chicken to the pan without overcrowding, cooking until browned on all sides and fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove the first batch and repeat with the rest to maintain crisp edges.
Step 5: Simmer with sauce
Return all cooked chicken to the skillet and pour the prepared sauce over it. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze that coats everything evenly. This final step infuses maximum flavor without overcooking the tender pieces.
Pro Tips for Success
- Whisk Sauce Thoroughly: Ensure cornstarch fully dissolves to avoid gritty texture in the glossy honey garlic chicken glaze.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook chicken in batches to achieve even browning and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Use Medium-High Heat: This promotes quick caramelization on the floured pieces for better sauce adhesion.
- Taste and Adjust: Add a pinch more honey if needed after simmering for personalized sweetness balance.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken
Garnishes
I love finishing this honey garlic chicken with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for nutty crunch and chopped green onions for a fresh, bright pop of color. These simple additions enhance the glossy sauce without extra effort, making the dish look restaurant-worthy right at home.
Side Dishes
Pair it with steamed rice or noodles to soak up every bit of that sweet-savory glaze, or add stir-fried broccoli for a cozy, veggie-packed balance. These options keep the meal light yet satisfying, perfect alongside the tender chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon the honey garlic chicken into shallow bowls over fluffy rice for an inviting family-style spread, or layer it atop a bed of crisp greens for a lighter salad twist. The glossy coating adds a golden sheen that elevates the presentation effortlessly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any extra honey garlic chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps well for up to three days. The sauce stays glossy but may thicken slightly, so a quick stir revives it before serving.
Freezing
For longer storage, portion the cooled chicken into freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge to maintain tenderness, avoiding microwave defrosts that could make the coating soggy.
Reheating
Reheat portions in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, stirring until warmed through in about 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, use the microwave in short bursts, covered, to prevent drying out the juicy chicken pieces.
