Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are a weeknight dinner dream, offering a perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavor profile that’s incredibly easy to whip up. This recipe is your go-to for a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal that the whole family will adore.
Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the sauce)
- 1 tablespoon water (if using cornstarch)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts:
Get ready for a flavor explosion! This Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts recipe is unbelievably easy to make, resulting in tender, juicy chicken coated in a luscious, irresistible sauce. With a preparation time of just about 25 minutes from start to finish, it’s the perfect solution for busy evenings.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. You can also cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally if they are very thick, to ensure even cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Sear for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and mostly cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Stir well to combine. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth, then add it to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly to your desired consistency.
- Return Chicken to Pan: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the honey garlic sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it evenly.
- Finish Cooking: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 3-5 minutes, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The sauce will continue to thicken and cling to the chicken.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a minute before serving. Drizzle any extra sauce from the pan over the chicken. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and sesame seeds, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts:
You’ll absolutely adore this Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts for its incredibly tender and flavorful chicken, coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze that’s utterly addictive. Unlike many other chicken recipes that can be bland or require extensive marinating, this dish delivers sensational taste with minimal effort, making it a true weeknight savior. The balance of sweet honey and umami-rich soy sauce creates a flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting, rivaling your favorite takeout without the guilt or the expense.
Saving money is just another bonus; whipping up this restaurant-quality meal at home costs a fraction of dining out, and it’s so satisfying to create something so delicious from scratch. Imagine the irresistible aroma filling your kitchen as that glossy, golden sauce coats each succulent piece of chicken – it’s a culinary dream! So go ahead, give this Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts a try tonight and prepare to be amazed by how simple and delicious homemade can be!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For freezing, double wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then an additional layer of aluminum foil or place them in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn. Properly stored, frozen chicken will remain best quality for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying, or microwave on 50% power until heated through. If reheating from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator first for the best results and to ensure even heating.
Final Thoughts:
This Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts recipe is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. Give it a try, and discover your new favorite weeknight staple!
Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. You can also cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally if they are very thick, to ensure even cooking.2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, salt, black pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Sear for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and mostly cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.2 cloves garlic
- Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Stir well to combine. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth, then add it to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water
- Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly to your desired consistency.
- Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the honey garlic sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it evenly.2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 3-5 minutes, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The sauce will continue to thicken and cling to the chicken.2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a minute before serving. Drizzle any extra sauce from the pan over the chicken. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and sesame seeds, if desired.fresh parsley, sesame seeds