Description
A quick and easy honey garlic chicken recipe that delivers restaurant-style results in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1¼ lb total)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ½ tsp onion powder (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1½ tsp)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional)
- ½ tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water (optional)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Pat breasts dry with paper towels, place between two pieces of plastic wrap, and pound gently to an even ¾–1 inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and optional garlic/onion powders.
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and optional rice vinegar and ginger. Set aside. In another small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry (optional).
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. When shimmering, add breasts and sear 4–6 minutes per side, until golden and an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
- Make and thicken the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the honey-garlic mixture to the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes until bubbly. If using, stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer 30–60 seconds until thick and glossy.
- Coat and rest: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over each breast. Let the chicken rest in the sauce off the heat for 3–5 minutes.
- Slice and serve: Slice against the grain and spoon remaining sauce over. Garnish with herbs, sesame seeds, and green onions.
Notes
This dish is forgiving; you can adjust sweetness and saltiness to suit your taste. For a thicker sauce without cornstarch, simmer longer to reduce, or whisk in butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: Asian