Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts is an epic 15-minute recipe featuring tender chicken smothered in a magical 5-ingredient Honey Garlic Sauce! This is the ultimate back-pocket quick dinner idea for those busy nights, made entirely with pantry staples. It’s truly amazing how a handful of simple ingredients can transform into such a delectable sauce for chicken!
BONUS: This recipe is so versatile—you can swap the chicken for beef, pork, shrimp/prawns, or even tofu!
I have to confess, while I usually lean towards juicy chicken thighs (better flavor, juicier!), I find myself tossing chicken breasts into my shopping cart week after week. Over the years, I’ve built up a whole arsenal of quick and easy chicken breast recipes, and this Honey Garlic Chicken is one I keep coming back to. It’s just THAT good!
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Just drop your email here and I'll send it right away!
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
- Kid-Friendly: The sweet and savory sauce will have kids and adults alike reaching for seconds.
- Versatile: Pairs well with rice, veggies, or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses pantry staples like honey, soy sauce, and garlic, so you won’t need to make a special trip to the grocery store.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Halving them horizontally creates thinner pieces, ensuring they cook quickly and evenly.
- All-Purpose Flour: This adds a slight crust to the chicken, helping the sauce cling better. If you’re gluten-free, feel free to substitute with almond flour or a gluten-free blend.
- Butter: Adds richness to the dish. You can substitute with olive oil if you prefer.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is key here for a punch of flavor. Adjust to taste if you prefer a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Opt for low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness. Tamari is a great gluten-free alternative.
- Honey: Balances the savory soy sauce and garlic with a touch of sweetness. Maple syrup can be used as a substitute.
See? Told you you’d have everything! 😉
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
How to make Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
First things first, let’s get those chicken breasts prepped. Grab two large chicken breasts and cut each one in half horizontally, so you end up with four thinner pieces. This trick helps them cook faster and more evenly. Give both sides of each piece a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Trust me, it makes a big difference in flavor right from the start!
Now, let’s coat these chicken pieces in flour. Pour some flour into a shallow dish—nothing fancy needed here. Take each piece of chicken and dredge it through the flour, making sure it’s lightly coated all over. Shake off any excess; you just want a light dusting to help create a bit of a crust when we sear them. This will make sure that amazing sauce clings to every bite.
Okay, time to get searing! Heat up a large skillet over high heat and melt most of your butter—hold back just about a teaspoon of it for later. Once the butter is nice and melted, add the chicken pieces in. You should hear that satisfying sizzle right away! Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on the first side until they turn golden. Then, flip them over and cook for just 1 more minute. That golden crust is what we’re after! Once the chicken is beautifully seared, take it out and set it aside for a moment.
Now, we’re going to add some serious flavor. Turn the heat down just a bit to medium-high. Make a little space in your skillet and toss in the garlic along with that last teaspoon of butter you saved. Stir the garlic around as the butter melts—be careful not to let it burn. We just want to soften it and bring out that delicious, fragrant aroma.
Next up, it’s sauce time! Pour in the vinegar, soy sauce, and honey right into the skillet with the garlic. Give the pan a little shake or stir it all together with a spoon. Let the mixture come to a simmer. You’ll see it bubble away as it starts to thicken up into a lovely, glossy sauce. This takes about a minute, maybe two. Keep an eye on it, and don’t walk away—this part happens fast!
Once the sauce has thickened slightly, go ahead and return the chicken to the skillet. Flip each piece over a couple of times so they get fully coated in that sticky, delicious honey garlic sauce. If the sauce thickens a bit too much for your liking, just add a splash of water to loosen it up, and stir it in.
And there you have it—your Honey Garlic Chicken is ready to go! Take the skillet off the heat and transfer the chicken onto plates, making sure to drizzle any remaining sauce over the top. It’s perfect served with a side of rice or some steamed veggies, and the whole dish comes together so quickly. Enjoy every bite of that sweet and savory goodness!
And THAT’S IT!
Want to grill it? No worries! Use this same recipe but throw the chicken on the BBQ instead.
Notice how the sauce clings so beautifully to the chicken? That’s all thanks to that light dusting of flour we did at the start—it creates a lovely crust when pan-fried.
What to serve with Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
There’s plenty of that delicious sauce to drizzle over veggies and soak into rice or whatever side you fancy. The flavor is bold, so a little goes a long way!
I love serving this with fluffy white rice and a crisp cucumber salad on the side. It’s also fantastic with mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, or even over pasta. And even though there’s soy sauce in the mix, it doesn’t taste overtly Asian-y, so it pairs well with just about anything—even Mac and Cheese! Yes, really!
Give this recipe a whirl—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together (less than 15 minutes!), and how such simple ingredients can create something so utterly scrumptious. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it over and over again. Happy cooking!
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless and skinless (2 pieces)
- Salt and pepper as needed
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter or 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white or other clear vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce light or all-purpose
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thinner pieces. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Dredge the chicken pieces in flour, lightly coating all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat and melt most of the butter, reserving about 1 teaspoon for later. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until golden, then flip and cook for 1 more minute. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining teaspoon of butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring to prevent burning.
- Add vinegar, soy sauce, and honey to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, turning each piece to coat in the sauce. If needed, add a splash of water to adjust the consistency. Simmer for another minute to let the flavors meld.
- Serve the chicken hot, drizzled with extra sauce. Great with rice or steamed vegetables.