Juicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts Recipe for Family Dinner

Succulent chicken breasts glazed with honey garlic sauce create a mouthwatering melody of flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Sweet honey and robust garlic infuse these tender protein-packed pieces with irresistible charm.

The simple marinade transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dinner centerpiece that requires minimal effort.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of savory and sweet notes that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Weeknight dinners become special with this quick and delectable recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Bold, bright, and packed with flavor, these honey garlic chicken breasts deliver restaurant-quality taste right in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

• Simplify Cooking Process: Master this honey garlic chicken with straightforward steps that even novice cooks can follow easily, transforming complex culinary techniques into a beginner-friendly experience.
• Elevate Weeknight Dinners: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal that brings gourmet flavors right to your kitchen, making every dinner feel special without extensive preparation.
• Quick Flavor Explosion: Enjoy a perfect balance of sweet honey, tangy soy sauce, and aromatic garlic that creates a mouthwatering sauce, delivering maximum taste with minimal ingredient list.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Pair effortlessly with rice, roasted vegetables, or salad, making this dish adaptable for different dietary preferences and ensuring a crowd-pleasing meal for family gatherings.

Ingredients for Sweet and Savory Garlic Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich and flavorful combination for perfect browning.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Light coating for a crispy exterior.

• Garlic: Aromatic and flavorful base for the sauce.
• Soy Sauce, Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Tangy and savory liquid components.
• Honey: Sweet element that creates a delicious glaze.

• Green Onions: Fresh and colorful finishing touch.

How to Make Tender Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Surface

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add olive oil and butter, letting them melt and create a golden cooking base.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Cutlets

• Chicken breasts
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• All-purpose flour

Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner pieces.

Generously season each piece with salt and pepper.

Gently coat the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess for a light, crispy exterior.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Carefully place floured chicken into the hot pan.

Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Transfer chicken to a plate, keeping those delicious pan juices.

Step 4: Create the Magical Sauce

In the same pan, melt a touch of butter.

Add minced garlic and stir quickly, releasing its aromatic magic without burning.

Watch for that incredible fragrant moment.

Step 5: Build the Flavor Symphony

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Black pepper

Pour in soy sauce and rice vinegar, scraping up those flavorful browned bits from the pan.

Drizzle honey and sprinkle a few pepper cracks.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken, creating a glossy, rich coating.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce.

Spoon the liquid over the meat, allowing everything to warm and meld together for about a minute.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Transfer chicken to serving plates.

Drizzle any remaining sauce generously.

Sprinkle fresh green onions on top for a bright, crisp finish.

Enjoy immediately while the chicken is hot and sauce is glossy.

Pro Tips for Juicy Chicken Breasts Every Time

• Cut breasts horizontally to ensure even cooking and faster preparation, creating thinner pieces that absorb sauce more effectively.
• Dredging chicken in flour creates a delicate golden crust, helping to seal in moisture and provide a beautiful texture that captures the honey garlic sauce.
• Watch garlic closely during sautéing, stirring constantly for 30-60 seconds to release flavor without burning, which can turn bitter and ruin the sauce's delicate balance.
• Allow sauce to reduce and thicken gradually, creating a glossy coating that clings perfectly to the chicken, intensifying the honey garlic flavor profile.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 160°F for safe and juicy results without overcooking.

Storing and Reheating Honey Garlic Chicken Leftovers

• Store leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm chicken over medium-low heat with a splash of water or reserved sauce, stirring gently to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, covering the dish to retain juiciness, and stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags, where they'll remain delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What Goes With This Sweet and Savory Dish

• Complementary Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Riesling with slight sweetness to balance the savory honey garlic flavors, cutting through the richness of the chicken while enhancing its delicate taste profile.
• Refreshing Side Beverage: Brew a light ginger tea with hints of lemon, offering a zesty counterpoint that cleanses the palate and complements the dish's sweet and tangy sauce.
• Perfect Vegetable Accompaniment: Roast asparagus spears with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt, providing a tender green vegetable that absorbs the chicken's delicious sauce while adding nutritional balance to the meal.
• Ideal Starch Complement: Prepare jasmine rice with a touch of butter, creating a soft, fragrant base that soaks up the honey garlic sauce and provides a neutral backdrop to the chicken's bold flavors.

Great Flavor Swaps for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or cornstarch for dredging the chicken, ensuring a crispy coating without gluten.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Swap regular soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos to reduce salt content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute butter with olive oil or avocado oil throughout the cooking process, keeping the same cooking technique and flavor intensity.
• Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for a fiery kick that transforms the classic recipe into a zesty meal.

FAQs

• Why dredge the chicken in flour?

Flour creates a light, crispy coating that helps seal in moisture and gives the chicken a golden-brown exterior. It also helps the sauce stick better to the chicken, enhancing the overall flavor and texture.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They’re typically more flavorful and juicy. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked, as thighs might take slightly longer than chicken breasts.

• How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Cook garlic over medium-low heat and stir constantly. Add it to the pan with butter and watch carefully. Remove from heat as soon as it becomes fragrant, which takes about 30-60 seconds. Burnt garlic tastes bitter and can ruin the sauce.

• What if I don't have rice vinegar?

You can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. These alternatives will provide similar acidity to balance the sweetness of the honey. If you’re out of vinegar, a small splash of lemon juice can work as well.

Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent honey garlic chicken breasts elevate weeknight dinners with their irresistible blend of sweet and savory flavors. Juicy chicken mingles with golden honey and garlic, creating a simple yet memorable meal that delights and satisfies.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Cooking Fats and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious skillet by heating olive oil and butter over medium-high temperature, creating a perfect searing environment.
2. Butterfly chicken breasts horizontally, transforming thick cuts into four lean, even portions for consistent cooking.
3. Season chicken generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
4. Delicately dust each chicken piece with all-purpose flour, gently shaking off excess to create a light, crisp exterior.
5. Carefully transfer floured chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown crust without overcrowding.
6. Cook chicken approximately 4-5 minutes per side, monitoring internal temperature and achieving a perfect 160°F doneness.
7. Transfer beautifully seared chicken to a separate plate, preserving precious pan drippings for sauce development.
8. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and introduce remaining butter, creating a gentle environment for garlic.
9. Swiftly sauté minced garlic, stirring constantly to release aromatic oils without burning, approximately 30-60 seconds.
10. Deglaze the pan by introducing soy sauce and rice vinegar, skillfully scraping accumulated flavor-rich browned bits from skillet surface.
11. Incorporate honey, adjusting seasoning with additional black pepper and salt, creating a luxurious, glossy sauce.
12. Simmer sauce for 4-5 minutes, allowing natural reduction and achieving a silky, coating consistency.
13. Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, gently warming meat and thoroughly coating with the vibrant honey-garlic glaze.
14. Plate chicken, generously drizzling remaining sauce and garnishing with thinly sliced green onions for fresh, vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Pat the chicken dry before flouring to help create a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture.
• Adjust heat carefully when cooking garlic to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste that ruins the sauce.
• Customize the dish for different dietary needs by using gluten-free flour or coconut aminos instead of traditional soy sauce for a low-sodium option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg