Honey Garlic Chicken is an epic 12 minute chicken breast recipe with a magic 5 ingredient Honey Garlic Sauce! This is a terrific back pocket quick dinner idea for busy nights that’s made with pantry staples. It’s quite amazing how so few ingredients can transform into such a tasty sauce for chicken!
BONUS: This can be made with any protein – beef, pork, lamb, shrimp/prawns, even tofu!
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
This sauce for chicken breast is a variation of my Honey Garlic Salmon which has been popular with readers for many years.
If I were ever to do a summary of my top 5 Most Used Sauces, Honey Garlic Sauce would probably be right at the top of the list. I love it because it requires so few ingredients that are pantry staples, and when simmered with a seared protein in a skillet so it becomes all bubbly and syrupy…. oh WOW.
It’s just DA BOMB!!! ( <– Who talks like that at my age???! I do. Only in extenuating circumstances. Excitement over crazy delicious secret-weapon sauce falls under this category. 😎)
Terrific quick chicken breast recipe
Though I personally have a preference for chicken thighs over chicken breast (better flavour, juicier!), I find myself putting chicken breast in my shopping trolley week after week.
Thus over the years, I’ve built up a wide variety of quick and easy chicken breast recipes – and this Honey Garlic Chicken is one of my favourite quick dinners that I find myself making over and over again.
What you need
See? I told you that you’d have everything! 😉
How to make Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Split chicken breast in half – so 2 breasts makes 4 pieces;
Dust chicken with flour (gives the chicken a slight crust so the sauce clings to it better!)
Sear chicken, add butter, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, honey.
Simmer until the sauce thickens. Turn chicken to coat in the amazing honey garlic sauce.
And THAT’S IT!
Want to BBQ it? Use this Grilled Honey Soy Chicken recipe instead.
Notice how the sauce is clinging to the surface? That’s because we dusted the chicken with flour so when it’s pan fried, it creates a crust.
What to serve with Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
There’s enough sauce to drizzle over veggies and soak into rice or whatever you serve it with. The flavour is strong enough such that you don’t need loads – a bit goes a long way!
It’s pictured above with Cauliflower Rice (tossed with a squeeze of lemon, parsley, salt and pepper) with Cucumber Salad on the side.
Even though it’s got soy sauce in the Honey Garlic Sauce, this doesn’t taste specifically Asian-y. But it’s versatile enough that it will go just as well with Fried Rice as it will with a Macaroni Salad or even Mac and Cheese. Yes really! Try it once and you’ll understand (it only takes 12 minutes, you’ve got the time!!) – Nagi x
Honey Garlic Chicken breast recipe
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 500g / 1 lb chicken breast , boneless and skinless (2 pieces)
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup flour (Note 1)
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter (or 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white or other clear vinegar)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce , light or all purpose (Note 2)
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Cut the breasts in half horizontally to create 4 steaks in total. Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper.
- Place flour in a shallow dish. Coat chicken in flour and shake off excess.
- Melt most of the butter in a large skillet over high heat – hold back about 1 tsp for later.
- Place chicken in skillet and cook for 2 – 3 minutes until golden. Turn and cook the other side for 1 minute.
- Turn heat down slightly to medium high.
- Make a bit of room in the pan and add garlic and top with remaining dab of butter. Stir garlic briefly once butter melts.
- Add vinegar, soy sauce and honey. Stir / shake pan to combine. Bring sauce to simmer, then simmer for 1 minute or until slightly thickened.
- Turn chicken to coat in sauce. If the sauce gets too thick, add a touch of water and stir.
- Remove from stove immediately. Place chicken on plates and drizzle over remaining sauce.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Honey Garlic Chicken breast recipe originally published February 2018, it has since been improved with new photos and video but no change to recipe (I wouldn’t dare, readers love it as it is!).
More quick and easy chicken breast recipes
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Sam says
It looks delicious, can’t wait to try it. X
Nagi says
I hope you love it Sam!! N x
Lakebia Gossett says
I can’t wait to try the honey garlic chicken thank you very much!
Nagi says
I hope you love it Lakebia! N x
Pamela Mack says
Easy and Delicious
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love it Pamela!! N x
Jill says
I’ve made this recently and it got rave reviews from all the family 🙂. Nagi – is it ok to freeze leftovers? I’ve got a larger amount of chicken breasts this time. Many thanks, Jill
Samantha says
Best ever!!! I first did the velveting the chicken then I did this recipe which tasted amazing and was so tender! My whole family love it! The steps were clear and perfect! Ima going to make the beef ramen noodles and fried rice tomorrow!
Luana says
SO GOOD!!! Thank you for a quick, easy & delicious recipe!!! Best part is that most of the ingredients are pantry staples – i didn’t have to shop for anything but fresh chicken!!
Calvin says
Have tried many Asian inspired recipes but this one tops them all. It was so easy, simple and delicious. Mine turned out perfect, I garnished mine with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
Sandra says
I keep coming back to this recipe. Thank you! A family favourite.
Nagi says
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Sandra! N x
lilian hoh says
Can u marinate & bake thèse instead? Tried ure sticky baked chicken thighs and I liked it a lot. I was wondering if u could use the same method with the honey garlic chicken. Or can I grill them in the oven then baste with sauce? I find baking making the chicken turn out moist & tender.
Nagi says
Hi Lilian – you sure can! Enjoy! N x
Shoshana says
Just made this for company for dinner tonight. My whole family is dying to try it. It smells Soooo good!
Nagi says
Wahoo, I hope it’s a hit Shoshana! N x
Donna says
I’d like to make this with boneless, skinless thighs. How long would you cook them? Thanks!
Carmine Allocca says
I also want to use thighs but bone-in with skin-on. Bone-in thighs should be cooked in 50-60 minutes. I use a thermometer to be sure they’re cooked.
Fee says
Can this be made using pork chops
Nagi says
Sure can Fee! Enjoy!
JM says
I’m hoping to try this tonight and need to make it gluten free (GF). I was wondering if using Bob Mills or Namaste GF flours would work better than cornstarch/corn flour? Looks so good and love the comments!!
Nagi says
Hi JM, I haven’t tried those particular type of flours but I’m sure it will work fine 🙂
Janette McBurrows says
I made this with the Bob’s Red Mill cup for cup GF flour. It was fantastic!! Really wonderful recipe. Definitely going to start following your recipes!!
Amy Morgan says
Made this exactly the same, except with thinly sliced tofu. So delicious!
Nagi says
Yum! Sounds great Amy! N x
Teri Bonner says
Thanks for a quick meal that my picky teenager loved!
Pia Hinsley says
Had it, again, for dinner the other night with greens and rice. So utterly divine. Good with either chicken thighs or breast.
Nagi says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Pia!
Cocoa extracts says
Yummy and delicious dish.Thanks for sharing.I tried and it came fabulous.
Nagi says
Awesome Cocoa – that’s great to hear!! N x
Kathleen says
Stunningly good and quick and easy. I served it with smashed potatoes and beans from your Fish Piccata recipe. Thank you, Nagi!
Nagi says
Perfect Kathleen!!
Kevin says
Nagi, this was awesome just tried it tonight. The sauce was unbelievable.
Nagi says
And so easy Kevin! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Stephanie says
Honestly, I was drooling while going through the recipe. It looks like a perfect winter evening dinner recipe. I am going to make it tonight.
Nagi says
Enjoy Stephanie, don’t forget to let me know what you think!! N x