If you’re looking for a dish that’s irresistibly flavorful, quick to prepare, and perfect for sharing any day of the week, this Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. The tender chicken breasts get a delicate, golden crust from a light flour coating, then soak up a luscious sauce where the sweetness of honey beautifully balances the punch of garlic and the tang of apple cider vinegar. Every bite promises a delightful harmony of savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors, making this recipe an all-time favorite that turns a simple weekday dinner into a memorable feast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might seem straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect balance of taste, texture, and color in your Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe. From the tender chicken to the fragrant garlic and luscious honey, every component is essential.
- Chicken breasts (500g / 1 lb, boneless and skinless): Thinly sliced to cook quickly and soak up the delicious sauce.
- Salt and pepper: To season perfectly and enhance the natural flavors.
- Flour (1/4 cup): Creates a light crust that locks in moisture and thickens the sauce.
- Unsalted butter (3 1/2 tbsp or 50g), divided: Provides richness and helps to brown the chicken beautifully. Olive oil can be used as a substitute.
- Garlic cloves (2, minced): Infuses the dish with its signature aromatic punch.
- Apple cider vinegar (1 1/2 tbsp): Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness perfectly; white vinegar also works well.
- Soy sauce (1 tbsp, light or all-purpose): The umami secret that deepens the sauce’s flavor.
- Honey (1/3 cup or maple syrup): The star sweetener that coats the chicken in a glossy, sticky glaze.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by slicing each chicken breast horizontally into two thin steaks. This step is key for quick and even cooking so your chicken stays juicy. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to bring out the best flavor.
Step 2: Coat with Flour
Pour the flour into a shallow dish and dredge each chicken piece, making sure they’re coated evenly. Shake off excess flour to avoid a thick crust—just a delicate layer that will help the sauce cling beautifully later.
Step 3: Heat the Skillet and Cook Chicken
Melt most of the butter in a large skillet over high heat until it’s hot and shimmering. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until you see a gorgeous golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for about one minute—the chicken will be cooked through but still tender.
Step 4: Add Garlic and Adjust Heat
Reduce the heat to medium-high and push the chicken to one side of the pan. Toss in the minced garlic and the reserved teaspoon of butter. Stir gently to release garlic’s aromatic goodness without letting it burn.
Step 5: Pour in Sauce Ingredients
Add the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and honey directly to the pan. Give the skillet a gentle stir or shake so all ingredients marry into a beautiful sauce that envelopes every piece of chicken with glossy sweetness.
Step 6: Simmer and Coat Chicken
Allow the sauce to simmer for about one minute until it thickens slightly. Flip and turn the chicken in the sauce carefully so every side gets coated. If the sauce thickens too much, add a small splash of water to loosen it up—perfect for spooning over later.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Remove the pan from heat to keep the sauce from burning, then plate the chicken. Spoon the remaining honey garlic sauce generously over the top while it’s hot. Your Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe is now ready to wow your taste buds!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions adds a pop of color and freshness that brightens up the dish beautifully. For a bit of crunch, toasted sesame seeds are a fantastic addition and complement the garlicky sauce perfectly.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy steamed rice or buttery mashed potatoes, which soak up that incredible sauce. For a lighter touch, roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or carrots bring earthy contrast and vibrant color to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the chicken atop a bed of quinoa or couscous for an interesting texture twist. You can also slice the chicken and arrange it over a crisp green salad drizzled with extra sauce for a refreshing meal with a sweet-savory kick. The versatility of the Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe allows you to dress it up or down effortlessly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Breast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce with the chicken to preserve moisture and flavor—reheating will be that much tastier.
Freezing
This dish freezes well for up to 2 months. Freeze the chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to leave space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low to medium heat, allowing the sauce to warm slowly without drying out the chicken. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it. Avoid microwaving if possible for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and offer a richer flavor. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked. The Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe works beautifully with thighs too.
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?
No worries. White vinegar or any clear vinegar works just fine and still provides the nice tang that balances the sweetness of honey in this recipe.
Is there a substitute for soy sauce if I need gluten-free?
You can use tamari, which is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. It will give you that umami depth without the gluten, keeping your dish just as flavorful.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them separately or together. Just warm gently before serving for the best taste and texture.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer on low heat but be careful not to burn it. Adding a small cornstarch slurry can also help thicken it quickly without altering the flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe is a deliciously straightforward way to impress anyone at your table, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual weekend dinner. The flavors meld together beautifully, creating that unbeatable combo of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness. Give it a try and savor every bite—you might just find your new go-to chicken recipe!
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Breast recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken coated in a sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce. The chicken breasts are lightly dredged in flour and cooked in butter to achieve a golden crust, before being simmered in a flavorful blend of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish balances savory and sweet notes that pair well with steamed veggies or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 500g / 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless (2 pieces)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter, divided (or 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil)
Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white or other clear vinegar)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce, light or all purpose
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 thin steaks. Season both sides of each piece with salt and pepper to taste.
- Coat with Flour: Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, coating evenly, then shake off any excess flour.
- Heat the Skillet and Cook Chicken: Melt most of the butter (reserve about 1 teaspoon for later) in a large skillet over high heat until hot. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the underside is golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 1 minute.
- Adjust Heat and Add Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-high. Push the chicken to one side of the pan to create space for the garlic. Add the minced garlic and the reserved dab of butter to this area. Stir the garlic briefly once the butter melts to release its aroma.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Stir or gently shake the pan to combine the ingredients and coat the chicken evenly. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Simmer Sauce and Coat Chicken: Let the sauce simmer for about 1 minute, or until it slightly thickens. Turn the chicken pieces in the sauce to coat thoroughly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of water and stir to loosen.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent burning. Plate the chicken and spoon the remaining sauce over the top. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead of regular flour.
- Maple syrup can be used instead of honey for a different, yet equally sweet flavor.
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste preference.
- If the sauce thickens too much after resting, add a splash of water and reheat gently.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
