f you’re looking for a fast and flavorful meal, this Honey Garlic Chicken is the answer. In just 20 minutes, you can have tender chicken bites coated in a sticky sauce that balances sweet honey with savory garlic and soy sauce. It’s simple, comforting, and absolutely perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
If you love easy chicken dinners with bold garlic flavor, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken — a creamy, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
This dish has become a favorite around the world because it brings together universal flavors: garlic, honey, and soy.
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Why You’ll Love Honey Garlic Chicken
There are many reasons to make Honey Garlic Chicken part of your weekly dinner rotation:
- Quick: Ready in 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Simple: Requires only pantry staples and fresh chicken.
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults both love the sweet and savory balance.
- Versatile: Can be served with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
The sauce is what makes this dish special. The garlic is sautéed until fragrant, soy sauce brings saltiness, vinegar adds a tangy note, and honey creates that irresistible sticky glaze. Together, they transform ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken
Making Honey Garlic Chicken is simple and straightforward:
- Coat chicken pieces lightly in flour and season with salt and pepper.
- Fry the chicken in olive oil until golden brown and cooked through.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic, then add honey, soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry for a glossy finish.
- Return chicken to the pan and toss until fully coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh green onions before serving.
That’s it – in just a few easy steps, you’ll have a delicious dish ready for the table.
Serving Ideas for Honey Garlic Chicken
This Honey Garlic Chicken works with almost anything:
- Serve over steamed jasmine rice for a comforting classic.
- Pair with noodles for an easy Asian-inspired dinner.
- Add roasted broccoli or snap peas for extra vegetables.
- Use it in lettuce wraps for a lighter, low-carb option.
For another quick chicken recipe with bright, fresh flavor, try Lemon Garlic Chicken — zesty, garlicky, and perfect with rice or potatoes.
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken
- Don’t overcook the chicken – cut it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly but stays tender.
- Adjust sweetness and tang – add more honey if you like it sweeter, or a splash more vinegar for balance.
- Add vegetables – broccoli, bell peppers, or carrots can turn this into a one-pan meal.
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness if you prefer them over chicken breast.
Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Coat the chicken: Toss chicken pieces in flour, season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry chicken 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Thicken: Mix cornstarch with water, add to the sauce, and stir until glossy and slightly thickened.
- Combine: Return chicken to skillet, toss until coated in sticky honey garlic sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot with rice or noodles.
Notes
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breast for extra juiciness.
- Add broccoli or bell peppers for a one-pan meal.
- Adjust honey and vinegar ratio to balance sweetness and tang.
- Best served fresh, but leftovers keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers of Honey Garlic Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving too long, as chicken may dry out.
This makes it a great option for meal prep – you can cook a larger batch and enjoy it for lunch or dinner the next day.
And if you love the sweet-and-savory honey garlic combo, Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a delicious crispy dinner you’ll definitely want to try next.
Final Thoughts
If you love quick and easy meals, this Honey Garlic Chicken deserves a spot on your weekly menu. It’s fast, full of flavor, and versatile enough to work with any side dish you have on hand. The sticky honey garlic sauce makes it a family favorite and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Honey is a natural sweetener used in cooking around the world, with its history and production documented on Wikipedia
