Easy Honey Garlic Chicken

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When you need a quick, yet flavorful dinner that’s sure to satisfy, this honey garlic chicken is the perfect solution. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create tender chicken breast cutlets seared to perfection, then coated in a sticky and sweet honey garlic sauce. Best of all, the entire meal is cooked in one pan and can be on the table in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

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This dish is a great balance of savory, sweet, and a little heat, thanks to the blend of garlic, honey, soy sauce, and a hint of sriracha. The chicken is broiled to create a beautifully caramelized finish, giving it a restaurant-quality appeal right from your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb. total)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp blackening seasoning (optional)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced (adjust per your tastes)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 Tbsp sriracha sauce
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken Start by slicing the chicken breasts into cutlets. Hold your knife parallel to the cutting board and carefully slice the chicken in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. This step ensures even cooking and allows the sauce to fully coat each piece.

Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and blackening seasoning, if using.

2. Dredge the Chicken Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Lightly press the seasoned chicken into the flour, coating both sides. Shake off any excess flour and set the chicken aside.

3. Sear the Chicken Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm.

4. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt the butter, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Next, stir in the honey, soy sauce, water, sriracha sauce, and lemon juice. Whisk the sauce until fully combined and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. The sauce will thicken into a spoonable glaze, similar in consistency to warm honey.

5. Return Chicken and Broil While the sauce is simmering, preheat your broiler to high. Add the seared chicken back into the skillet, spooning the sauce over each piece to coat them evenly. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes until the chicken is sticky and slightly caramelized.

6. Serve Remove the skillet from the oven and serve the honey garlic chicken hot. Drizzle extra sauce over the top for maximum flavor and garnish with freshly minced parsley, if desired.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken

• Flour Coating: This step helps create a light crust on the chicken, which allows the sauce to stick better. If you’re gluten-free or looking to skip this step, it’s optional but recommended for extra texture.
• Soy Sauce: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to better control the salt content. Regular soy sauce can sometimes overpower the sweetness of the honey and the savoriness of the garlic.
• Garlic Preferences: Adjust the garlic to your taste. If you’re a garlic lover, go ahead and use six cloves for a bold flavor. If you prefer a more subtle hint of garlic, opt for four cloves or even less.
• Slicing Chicken: Cutting the chicken breasts into thin cutlets ensures they cook evenly and quickly. If you prefer to skip this step, you can purchase pre-cut chicken cutlets from the store.

Customizing Your Honey Garlic Chicken

This recipe is easily adaptable to suit different preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to customize your honey garlic chicken:

• Spicy Kick: If you enjoy spicy food, increase the amount of sriracha or add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
• Gluten-Free: To make this dish gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour alternative for dredging and substitute gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
• Low-Carb: For a low-carb version, skip the flour dredging step entirely. The chicken will still soak up the honey garlic sauce beautifully without the coating.
• Vegetarian Option: If you want to make a vegetarian version of this dish, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets. Simply follow the same process of seasoning, searing, and coating with the honey garlic sauce.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken

This flavorful chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some great options to serve alongside your honey garlic chicken:

• Steamed Rice: White or brown rice makes a perfect base for soaking up the extra sauce.
• Vegetables: Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or carrots provide a nutritious and delicious balance to the sweetness of the chicken.
• Mashed Potatoes: For a comforting side, creamy mashed potatoes are a great companion to this dish.
• Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can balance out the richness of the chicken and sauce.

Storing and Reheating Honey Garlic Chicken

This honey garlic chicken stores well and can be reheated without losing its delicious flavors. Here’s how to store and reheat any leftovers:

• Refrigerating: Place the cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but the skillet method preserves the texture better.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Quick and Easy: With only 30 minutes of prep and cooking time, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a fast, delicious dinner.
• One-Pan Recipe: Minimal clean-up is needed since everything is cooked in a single skillet.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The honey garlic sauce offers a beautiful mix of sweetness, tanginess, and a touch of heat, making it irresistible.
• Versatile: This dish can be customized to suit different tastes, dietary preferences, and even the sides you choose to serve.

Final Thoughts

This honey garlic chicken recipe is sure to become a go-to in your weeknight dinner rotation. The combination of juicy chicken breasts, a sweet and sticky sauce, and easy preparation makes it a dish the whole family will love. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal to impress or simply craving something flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe delivers on all fronts.

Give it a try and enjoy the deliciousness of honey garlic chicken in just 30 minutes!