Description
A quick and easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe with tender chicken thighs or breasts coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this versatile dish pairs well with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs or breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any neutral cooking oil)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Slice chicken breasts into even fillets if using, for quicker cooking.
- Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature: 165°F/74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Simmer the mixture gently.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
- For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry and add it to the skillet. Stir until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve
- Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in intervals, adding water if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Variations:
- Substitute chicken with shrimp, tofu, or pork for variety.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or use maple syrup as a sweetener alternative.
- Include vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for a one-pan meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken Easy Chicken Recipes Sweet and Savory Chicken Quick Weeknight Dinners Asian-inspired Chicken Recipe