Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a no-fuss dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, these Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are about to become your new favorite. They’re juicy, flavorful, and covered in a sticky-sweet garlic sauce that tastes like something from your favorite takeout spot—only better (and way easier on your wallet). For an easy variation, check out this One-Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies recipe
Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
✅ Quick and Easy
It’s quick to whip up—perfect for busy weeknights when you just can’t with complicated meals.
🥫 Simple, Pantry-Friendly Ingredients
The ingredients are simple and pantry-friendly. You probably have everything you need already.
🍗 Always Tender and Delicious
These Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts cook up tender and delicious every time.
🍯 Irresistible Glaze
That golden, garlicky glaze? Absolutely irresistible.
Whether you’re feeding the family, impressing guests, or just treating yourself to a cozy night in, this recipe has your back. And if things don’t go perfectly? That’s what extra sauce and a side of rice are for. For another easy and delicious chicken dish, try my Boneless Chicken Wings Recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these flavorful Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts, you’ll need a handful of everyday ingredients—nothing fancy, just good stuff that works magic in the pan.
For the Chicken
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2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally (to make 4 thin cutlets)
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon paprika
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for a light coating)
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2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
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1/4 cup honey
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3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
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1 tablespoon water
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1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)
These simple ingredients come together to create the sticky, savory-sweet glaze that makes these Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts so addictive.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
This dish couldn’t be simpler—or more satisfying. Using just one skillet and a handful of everyday ingredients, you can whip up tender, tasty Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts in a snap.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
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Gently pat the chicken breasts dry, then slice them in half lengthwise to make four thinner pieces.
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Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
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Give each cutlet a light dusting of flour—this adds a lovely golden crust and helps the sauce cling beautifully later on.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
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In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, water, and cornstarch until smooth.
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Once added to the hot pan, this honey garlic sauce will thicken perfectly, creating a rich and flavorful coating for the chicken.
Step 3: Cook Everything Together
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Pour olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium.
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Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until they turn golden and cook through.
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Once the chicken is ready, drizzle the honey garlic sauce over the top, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes while stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken in a flavorful glaze.
Serve your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts hot with rice, veggies, or whatever makes your taste buds happy. Bonus: leftovers are amazing the next day!
Tips for Best Results
To make sure your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
1. Use Thin Chicken Breasts
Halving your chicken breasts horizontally ensures they cook evenly and quickly, giving you that juicy tenderness you want without drying out the meat.
2. Don’t Skip the Flour Coating
A light dusting of flour helps create that golden, crispy exterior, which locks in the flavor and gives the sauce something to cling to.
3. Adjust the Sweetness
If you like your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts on the sweeter side, feel free to add a bit more honey. If you prefer a more savory flavor, reduce the honey slightly and add an extra splash of soy sauce.
4. Let the Sauce Simmer
For the best glaze, make sure to simmer the sauce for a couple of minutes to allow it to thicken. This makes sure it clings beautifully to the chicken.
5. Serve with Sides
Pair these Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies to soak up every bit of that amazing sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are wonderfully versatile and go perfectly with a variety of side dishes! Here are a few tasty options to make your meal even more special:
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Steamed Rice – The sweet and savory sauce is perfect for drizzling over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. It’s the ultimate comfort food combo.
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Roasted Vegetables – Roasted broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts make a great, healthy side that complements the rich flavor of the chicken.
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Mashed Potatoes – Rich, creamy mashed potatoes are a timeless side that complements the sweet, garlicky sauce perfectly. The potatoes absorb the sauce, making each mouthful even more irresistible.
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Salad – A fresh, crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the rich flavor of the Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts.
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Garlic Bread – If you’re looking to indulge, serve these chicken breasts with warm, buttery garlic bread to mop up every last drop of that delicious sauce.
No matter how you serve it, these Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts will steal the show at dinner!
Storage and Reheating
Have some leftovers? You’re in luck—these Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are just as delicious the next day, maybe even better!
To Store:
After the chicken has had time to cool off, tuck it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge—it’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to four days.
To Reheat:
To reheat, place your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts in a skillet over medium-low heat and warm gently until heated through. If the sauce has thickened in the fridge, just add a splash of water or chicken broth to smooth it out. For a quicker option, microwave in 30-second intervals, loosely covered to keep the chicken from drying out.
This chicken freezes beautifully—just pack the breasts along with the sauce into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, and store in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it up using your preferred method.
Still just as juicy, sticky, and delicious—maybe even better the second time around!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I substitute chicken thighs for the breasts?
Definitely! While this recipe is made with Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative. Just note that they might take a minute or two longer to cook all the way through.
2. How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
Your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are ready when they’re golden brown on the outside and the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C). A digital meat thermometer makes this easy to check!
3. Can I make Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead, store it in the fridge, and reheat it when you’re ready to eat. It makes a great meal prep option since the flavor only gets better!
4. Is the sauce very sweet?
The honey adds a natural sweetness, but the soy sauce and vinegar balance it out. You can always adjust the honey to make your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts more or less sweet, depending on your taste.
5. What sides go best with this dish?
Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are super versatile! They pair well with rice, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, noodles—basically anything that helps soak up that amazing sauce.
Conclusion
And there you have it—Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts that are juicy, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make! Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish that’ll impress your guests, this recipe has you covered. With minimal ingredients, a simple cooking method, and a sauce that’s nothing short of addictive, this meal is bound to become a regular in your rotation.
So grab your skillet, get cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite of your new favorite chicken dish. And remember, even if things get a little messy in the kitchen, that’s just part of the fun—because good food, like this, is always worth the effort!