Honey Butter Chicken is the ultimate comfort food, offering a sweet and savory flavor explosion that’s surprisingly simple to recreate in your own kitchen. This recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal that will quickly become a family favorite, proving that delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated.
Key Ingredients for Honey Butter Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Cooked rice or pasta, for serving (optional)
How to Make Honey Butter Chicken
Prepare yourself for a culinary triumph with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Honey Butter Chicken recipe. Its creamy, rich sauce coating tender chicken pieces with a perfect balance of sweet honey and savory butter makes it a truly satisfying meal. You’ll have this delightful dish on your table in approximately 30 minutes, including preparation and cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure they get a nice sear. Season the chicken evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet. Allow the butter to melt completely, then add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Sweeten and Thicken: Pour in the honey and stir to combine with the butter and garlic. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Stir in the fresh lemon juice for a touch of brightness that cuts through the richness.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the honey butter sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 1-2 minutes, just to heat through and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Honey Butter Chicken immediately. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness. This dish is wonderful served over fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or your favorite pasta to soak up all that glorious sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Butter Chicken
This Honey Butter Chicken is an absolute showstopper, brimming with a lusciously sweet and savory sauce that envelops every tender morsel of chicken. Its melt-in-your-mouth quality and rich, comforting flavors are pure bliss, making it a fantastic alternative to takeout Korean Fried Chicken but with a more accessible ingredient list and simpler preparation at home. You’ll adore the budget-friendly aspect of whipping up this gourmet-style meal for a fraction of the restaurant cost, giving you more bang for your culinary buck. The perfect marriage of sweet honey, creamy butter, and a hint of garlic, elevated by the optional touch of fresh parsley, creates a truly unforgettable taste experience.
Don’t let dessert envy get you down if you’re craving something special without breaking the bank. This Honey Butter Chicken delivers that restaurant-quality indulgence right in your own kitchen, making weeknight dinners feel like a treat. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the simplicity, and prepare to impress yourself and your loved ones with this sensational dish.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftover Honey Butter Chicken, allow it to cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, the best method for preserving optimal taste and texture is on the stovetop. Place the chicken and any remaining sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also gently reheat it in the microwave, but be mindful of potential drying. If you wish to freeze this dish for future meals, ensure it is cooled completely. Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then follow the stovetop reheating instructions.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Butter Chicken is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. We guarantee you’ll find yourself making this recipe again and again, so go ahead and give it a try!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Honey Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure they get a nice sear. Season the chicken evenly with salt and black pepper.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet. Allow the butter to melt completely, then add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic
- Pour in the honey and stir to combine with the butter and garlic. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Stir in the fresh lemon juice for a touch of brightness that cuts through the richness.1/4 cup honey, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the honey butter sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 1-2 minutes, just to heat through and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Serve the Honey Butter Chicken immediately. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness. This dish is wonderful served over fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or your favorite pasta to soak up all that glorious sauce.1/4 cup fresh parsley, Cooked rice or pasta