Description
Discover the ultimate sticky, flavorful honey garlic chicken breasts recipe with tips, variations, and step-by-step methods for perfect results!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for light coating)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for pan-searing)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Lightly dust with flour for extra crispiness (optional).
2. Sear the Chicken
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken breasts and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and nearly cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- Lower the heat to medium.
- In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and minced garlic.
- Pour the mixture into the skillet around the chicken.
- Let simmer for 2–3 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken as it reduces.
- Optional: Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
4. Finish & Serve
- Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Turn off heat and let chicken rest in sauce for 2–3 minutes.
- Spoon extra sauce over before serving.
Notes
- Even Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for faster, more even cooking.
- Baking Option: After searing, finish in a 400°F oven for 8–10 minutes for extra tender meat.
- Spicy Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add a drizzle of sriracha.
- Add Veggies: Sauté broccoli, asparagus, or snap peas right in the same skillet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Category: recipe
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts