Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Want a simple chicken meal that everyone in the family will enjoy? This Honey Garlic Chicken is just right! This meal has a great mix of flavors in every bite because it combines the sweet richness of honey with the strong, savory flavors of garlic and soy sauce. It doesn’t take long to create and just needs a few simple things that you probably already have in your kitchen. This honey garlic chicken is perfect for a comfortable evening dinner or a dish to dazzle visitors. Read on for step-by-step directions, helpful hints, and serving suggestions!

Overview of Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken is a tasty recipe that is easy to create. You cook chicken in a sauce made with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and other spices. As it cooks, the sauce turns into a sticky, shiny glaze that is sweet and savory at the same time. You can use chicken breasts, thighs, or wings to make this recipe. It goes nicely with rice, veggies, or noodles. It’s a great choice for a midweek dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts or thighs without bones or skin
¼ cup of honey
¼ cup of soy sauce (low sodium is better)
2 teaspoons of garlic powder or 5 to 6 cloves of garlic, minced
Two tablespoons of rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tablespoon of olive oil (to sear the chicken)
1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, if you want)
¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional, to make the sauce thicker)
¼ cup of water (for the cornstarch slurry)
Sesame seeds (to decorate)
Fresh green onions (for decoration)

Possible Substitutions and Variations

You may simply change this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe to fit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some possibilities for substitutions and changes:

Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks will provide more flavor, but they will need to cook for longer. If you want finger food for a party, chicken wings are also a fantastic choice.
If you can’t have soy sauce, you can use tamari or coconut aminos instead.
If you want a vegan option or a different sweetness, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
Garlic: If you don’t have any fresh garlic, garlic powder can do in a pinch. Roasted garlic can also be used to add a deeper, sweeter flavor.
Vinegar: If you don’t have rice vinegar, you may use apple cider vinegar or even lemon juice to provide acidity and balance the sweetness of the honey.
Add vegetables: For a one-pan meal, add some broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking.
Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: To make it spicier, add more red pepper flakes or a dab of sriracha or chili paste.

Preparation Instructions

Get the chicken ready: On both sides, season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper. Put it away.
Sear the chicken: Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a big skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Put in the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it is golden brown. At this time, the chicken doesn’t need to be entirely cooked. Take the chicken out of the skillet once it has been seared and put it aside.
Prepare the sauce: Add the minced garlic and ginger (if using) to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds, or until the garlic smells good. Don’t let the garlic burn. Put the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using) in the pan. Mix everything together and bring the sauce to a boil.

Put the chicken back in the pan: Put the seared chicken back in the skillet and make sure that each piece is covered with the sauce. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (the inside should reach 165°F or 74°C).
(Optional) produce the sauce thicker: If you like your sauce thicker, add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of water to produce a slurry. Add this to the skillet and whisk it continually for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is as thick as you want it to be.
When the chicken is done cooking and the sauce has thickened, take the skillet off the heat and serve. Add sesame seeds and chopped green onions on the top. Serve hot!

Cooking Tips

Searing the chicken first gives it a nice golden-brown coating and keeps the liquids inside, which adds taste and texture to the finished dish.
Make the sauce: Sautéing garlic in the same pan adds flavor to the oil. Honey, soy sauce, and vinegar make a sauce that is sweet, salty, and sour all at the same time.
Finish cooking the chicken in the sauce: Cooking the chicken in the honey garlic sauce keeps it moist and lets it soak up all the sauce’s rich ingredients.
If you want a thicker glaze, you can add a cornstarch slurry to the sauce and simmer it for a few minutes until it gets to the thickness you want.

Things You Shouldn’t Do

Burning the garlic: Garlic cooks quickly and can burn easily, especially when placed to a hot skillet. When you add the garlic, make sure to turn down the heat and keep stirring it so it doesn’t burn.
Overcooking the chicken: Chicken that is overcooked can be harsh and dry. Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer to make sure it doesn’t get above 165°F (74°C).
If you want a richer sauce, don’t skip the cornstarch slurry. It helps make the glaze that makes this meal so good that is sticky and shiny.

How to Serve and Present

Honey Garlic Chicken is great on its own, but it tastes much better with the correct sides.

On rice: Serve the honey garlic chicken over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the tasty sauce.
For a quick and filling noodle dish, mix the chicken and sauce with cooked noodles like lo mein or spaghetti.
With vegetables that have been roasted: For a nutritious, balanced lunch, serve with roasted or steamed veggies like broccoli, carrots, or green beans.
On a salad: For a lighter meal, cut the chicken into pieces and put it on a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette.

Ways to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken

Add sesame seeds on top: For more texture and visual appeal, sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Add fresh herbs on top: A sprinkle of chopped green onions or cilantro gives the dish a new look and taste.
To serve family-style, put the chicken on a big serving dish and pour the extra sauce on top. For a pretty display, top with sesame seeds and green onions.

Tips for Making Honey Garlic Chicken

Prepare it in advance: You may make the sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Just fry the chicken and then add the sauce that you created ahead of time.
Meal prep: Honey Garlic Chicken is a great dish to make ahead of time. Make a lot of it, split it into meal-sized servings with rice and vegetables, and keep it in the fridge for up to four days. You may reheat it in the microwave or on the stove.
Change the sweetness: If you think the sauce is overly sweet, you can add additional soy sauce or cut down on the honey to make the flavors more balanced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it okay to use chicken with bones in it for this recipe?: Yes! You can use chicken thighs or drumsticks with bones in them, but you’ll need to cook them for longer. Make sure the inside temperature gets to 165°F (74°C).
Q: Is it okay to use frozen chicken?: Yes, but you need to let the chicken defrost completely before cooking it. If you cook frozen chicken directly in the pan, it may not cook evenly.
Q: Is it possible to do this in the slow cooker?: Of course! To prepare Honey Garlic Chicken in a slow cooker, mix the sauce ingredients with the chicken and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. If you need to, add cornstarch to the sauce at the end to make it thicker.
Q: How long will food that is left over last?: You may keep leftover Honey Garlic Chicken in the fridge for up to three to four days in an airtight container. You may heat it up again in the microwave or on the stove.

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe has the right mix of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors that will make everyone want more. It’s quick, easy, and can be used in a lot of different ways, so it’s great for weekday dinners, meal planning, or even hosting guests. You can make a full meal by serving it with rice, noodles, or vegetables. This recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen, no matter how long you’ve been cooking. Try it today and experience how good it is!