Honey Garlic Chicken

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Skip the takeout tonight. This is one of my best chicken recipes, and it asks for just 10 minutes of hands-on time. Perk up your chicken breast recipe repertoire with this easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. It’s coated in a sweet and spicy glaze featuring common pantry staples.

Honey garlic chicken with white rice and a clear bowl of sauce on a white serving platter.


 

If you hear “chicken breast recipe” and think “ugh, not again!” I feel you. Since it’s versatile, budget-friendly, and an easy option to feel the whole family, this was the protein of my childhood.

That doesn’t mean that we always loved it, though. Since boneless skinless chicken breasts are so lean, many chicken breast recipes can err on the bland, boring, and dry side.

My saucy, sassy Honey Garlic Chicken has arrived to help rescue chicken breast’s reputation! The secrets to this dish? Not overcooking the meat, and an almost-instant upgrade via my easy, pantry staple-packed glaze. After 2 minutes under the broiler, that sweet-and-spicy glaze caramelizes and officially transforms this into a chicken dinner idea that you’ll crave.

Think of it as a Honey Garlic Chicken stir fry, no wok required.

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for honey garlic chicken.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is a tasty alternative to regular. Or substitute tamari if you prefer it or are seeking a gluten-free alternative.
  • Cornstarch: This might sound like an odd addition, but trust the process. A spoonful is the perfect amount to transform what could be a loose sauce into a lusciously thick glaze.
  • Sriracha: Can’t find Sriracha? Your favorite hot sauce, chili paste, and sambal oelek will work in a pinch. You could also add a pinch of red pepper flakes or omit the spice entirely.
  • Chicken: If you’d like to crank up the flavor even more, feel free to swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs (the dark meat helps the finished product taste even richer). Just be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly. Regardless of the cut of chicken you choose, use an instant-read thermometer to check that it reaches 160 degrees at the thickest part of the meat before glazing and broiling.
  • Sesame seeds: If you have time, toast the sesame seeds to use as a garnish; this small step really amplifies the nutty quality of the seeds.

Step by step instructions

  1. To make the glaze, in a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and lime juice. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season chicken to taste with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat sesame oil. Add chicken and cook without moving until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes.
  3. Flip chicken and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown, about 4 minutes longer. Drizzle with glaze and transfer to oven.
  4. Bake until chicken is tender and 160 degrees when tested with an internal thermometer at the thickest part of a breast, about 25 minutes. Preheat broiler on HIGH.
  5. Pour glaze over chicken and broil 2 minutes. Remove from oven and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Honey garlic chicken with white rice and a clear bowl of sauce on a white serving platter.

Recipe tips and variations

Frequently Asked Questions

How else could I use this honey garlic glaze?

It’s dreamy over chicken thighs or even as a glaze for a full Rotisserie Chicken. Or try the honey garlic glaze to make sweet-spicy salmon, shrimp, pork tenderloin, or tofu. Simply cook the protein to nearly your desired doneness, brush on the glaze, and broil or grill over high heat for the final 2 minutes.

More delicious chicken breast recipes

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Two honey garlic chicken breasts on a platter with rice.

Honey Garlic Chicken

Skip the takeout tonight. This is one of my best chicken recipes, and it asks for just 10 minutes of hands-on time. Perk up your chicken breast recipe repertoire with this easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. It's coated in a sweet and spicy glaze featuring common pantry staples.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Chinese
Calories 387
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients 

For the glaze:

For the chicken:

Instructions 

  • To make the glaze, in a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and lime juice. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season chicken to taste with salt and pepper.  In a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat, heat sesame oil. Add chicken and cook without moving until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes.
  • Flip chicken and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown, about 4 minutes longer. Drizzle with glaze and transfer to oven.
  • Bake until chicken is 160 degrees when tested with an internal thermometer at the thickest part of a breast, about 25 minutes. Preheat broiler on HIGH.
  • Spoon glaze over chicken and broil 2 minutes. Remove from oven and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

  1. Soy sauce: Or tamari if you prefer it or are seeking a gluten-free alternative.
  2. Cornstarch: This might sound like an odd addition, but trust the process. A spoonful is the perfect amount to transform what could be a loose sauce into a lusciously thick glaze.
  3. Sriracha: Can’t find Sriracha? Your favorite hot sauce, chili paste, and sambal oelek will work in a pinch.
  4. Chicken: If you’d like to crank up the flavor even more, feel free to swap in boneless chicken thighs (the dark meat helps the finished product taste even richer). Just be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly. Regardless of the cut of chicken you choose, use an instant-read thermometer to check that it reaches 160 degrees at the thickest part of the meat before glazing and broiling.
  5. Sesame seeds: If you have time, toast the sesame seeds to use as a garnish; this small step really amplifies the nutty quality of the seeds.
  6. Yield: My Honey Garlic Chicken recipe makes four servings of chicken, 6 ounces each.
  7. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 6 ozCalories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 50gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 1101mgPotassium: 886mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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