Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
This recipe for Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts makes regular chicken taste amazing. Coat the chicken breasts in flour and fry them until they are golden. Then, finish them off with a sauce made with honey, garlic, and soy sauce. The sauce gets thicker and makes a shiny covering that is both sweet and salty. It just takes 30 minutes to make, so it’s great for hectic weeknights. It goes nicely with rice or vegetables. This recipe is a family favorite because it has tender chicken and sticky-sweet garlic sauce. It’s also quick to cook and looks great when you serve it.
Roasted chicken breasts with a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce make a weekday dinner that is hard to resist. They turn ordinary ingredients into something really special. When the honey, garlic, and soy sauce mix together, they make a glossy coating that wraps around each piece of chicken. This coating is the right mix of sweet and savory.
I cooked this for my family reunion last week, and even my finicky nephew wanted for more. The trick is to let the sauce boil down until it has that ideal sticky texture that sticks to every bite.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Salt
- Pepper
- Flour
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Butter
- Fresh garlic
- Local honey
- Soy sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Getting the chicken ready
Start by cutting the chicken breasts into even cutlets by cutting them horizontally. Use paper towels to dry them off entirely. Add a lot of salt and pepper to both sides. A light sprinkle of flour helps make a golden crust.
Step 2: Making the Perfect Sear
In a big skillet over medium-high heat, cook the olive oil and butter until they start to sizzle. Put the chunks of chicken in without crowding them. Let them fry for 4 to 5 minutes without touching them until they are quite brown. Turn them over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 3: Making the sauce
Put the chicken on a platter. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the butter and minced garlic, and whisk it all together so it doesn’t burn. When the food smells good, add soy sauce to deglaze and scrape out the tasty brown bits.
Step 4: Putting the finishing touches on the dish
Add honey and mix until fully combined. Put the chicken back in the pan and pour sauce over each piece. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and the chicken is fully cooked.
As a child, my grandma would cook a similar dish using honey from the mountains. That unique sweet floral taste mixed with garlic became my favorite comfort dish. I now get honey from small beekeepers in my area to get that unique taste back.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
The sweet and salty flavor goes great with:
- Jasmine rice to soak up all the sauce
- Broccoli or green beans that have been steamed
- Asian-style coleslaw for a fresh crunch
Put leftovers in a container that won’t let air in:
- Keep in the fridge for up to three days.
- You can freeze it for up to two months.
- Gently reheat with a little water
After years of honing this recipe, I’ve learned that taking the effort to properly reduce the sauce and using good honey makes all the difference. We love this dish because it makes our family members’ faces light up when they eat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
← Is it okay to use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work excellent and keep even juicier. Just change the cooking time to 6–7 minutes per side.
← How can I tell when the chicken is done?
Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the food is golden brown and the inside temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
← What goes well with honey garlic chicken?
Rice, steamed veggies, noodles, or a simple green salad are great sides for this meal.
← Is it possible to make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sauce up to two days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Before adding the chicken, heat it up.
← How long does honey garlic chicken that you have left over last?
Put it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Gently reheat to keep it from drying out.