Description
Discover the perfect balance of sweet and savory with this easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. Tender chicken pieces are glazed with a luscious, sticky sauce made from honey, fresh garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a flavorful, comforting meal that pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed and patted dry
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
- 1 tablespoon water (to mix with cornstarch, optional)
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Optional: sesame seeds or chopped fresh herbs (cilantro, thyme, or rosemary)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure they crisp up nicely during cooking. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium, then add minced garlic to the same pan. Sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in honey, soy sauce, and vinegar, stirring to combine all flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker glaze, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Cook for an additional minute until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Glaze: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat each piece in the honey garlic sauce. Heat through for 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and optional sesame seeds or fresh herbs over the chicken. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed for a perfect sear.
- Use freshly minced garlic instead of pre-minced for the best aroma.
- Adjust honey quantity to your desired sweetness preference.
- Allow chicken to rest a few minutes after cooking for tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Quick Chicken Recipe, Easy Dinner, Gluten Free Chicken, Sticky Sauce Chicken