The Ultimate Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

1½ lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
3 tablespoons honey
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice or rice vinegar
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water, optional, for a thicker sauce
Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Sesame seeds, optional

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. If using chicken breasts, cut them into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. Season both sides with paprika, black pepper, and a small amount of salt. Be careful with the salt because soy sauce is already salty.

2. Make the honey garlic sauce
In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir well until the honey is incorporated. Set the sauce aside.

3. Heat the pan
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it heat for about 30 seconds. Add the butter and allow it to melt.

4. Brown the chicken
Place the chicken in the hot skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for about 4–6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, until golden brown and cooked through.

For food safety, chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.

5. Add the honey garlic sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken. Gently turn the pieces so they become coated in the sauce.

6. Let the sauce simmer
Allow the chicken and sauce to simmer for about 3–5 minutes. The honey will begin to caramelize slightly while the garlic releases its flavor. Stir occasionally so the sauce doesn’t burn.

7. Thicken the sauce if desired
For a thicker, glossy sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Stir this mixture into the skillet and cook for about 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

8. Coat the chicken
Turn the chicken several times in the sauce, making sure every piece is generously coated. The finished sauce should be sticky, glossy, sweet, savory, and packed with garlic flavor.

9. Garnish and serve
Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken

Serve the chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice, or fried rice. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, green beans, mashed potatoes, or noodles.

Helpful Tips

Use chicken thighs for especially juicy and tender results.
Don’t burn the honey sauce. Keep the heat at medium once the sauce is added.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
For extra garlic flavor, add another clove of freshly minced garlic near the end of cooking.
For a little heat, add a small pinch of red pepper flakes.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.

Storage

Allow leftovers to cool, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until thoroughly heated. The sauce may become thicker when chilled; adding a small splash of water while reheating can loosen it.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: About 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy

This Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner featuring tender, golden chicken coated in a rich, sticky sauce made with honey, garlic, and soy sauce. It comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with rice and vegetables.