If you’re craving a fast, bold, and comforting dinner, this Honey Garlic Chicken is exactly what you need. The moment the garlic hits the pan and blends with sweet honey and savory soy sauce, your kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of a takeout favorite—made fresher and faster at home. This recipe transforms simple chicken breasts (or thighs) into juicy pieces coated in a glossy, sticky-sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with fluffy rice.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Dinner
There’s something magical about the balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic. It creates a glossy glaze that clings beautifully to golden seared chicken, giving every bite a burst of flavor. Better yet, this recipe only takes about 20 minutes from stovetop to table, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
This dish also works wonderfully with either chicken breasts or thighs—so you can use whatever you have on hand—and it’s naturally family-friendly, budget-friendly, and customizable. Serve it with boiled rice, steamed veggies, or pack it into meal prep containers for easy lunches.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken
- 8 chicken thighs (skinless, boneless) — or use thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 110 g (⅓ cup) honey
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) chicken stock
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
To Serve
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- Boiled rice
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry and trim any excess fat. Toss it with cornflour, salt, and pepper until each piece has a light coating—this helps the chicken brown beautifully and creates a smooth, glossy sauce later.
Step 2: Sear Until Golden
Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until both sides are golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Step 3: Build the Honey Garlic Base
Lower the heat slightly and melt butter in the same pan. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant—don’t let it burn.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Stir in honey, chicken stock, rice vinegar, and light soy sauce. Let the mixture bubble gently until it thickens into a syrupy glaze.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce until everything is sticky, shiny, and beautifully caramelized.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and chilli flakes. Serve over hot boiled rice to soak up every bit of the delicious sauce.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken breasts: Slice them thinly so they cook quickly and stay juicy.
- Add veggies: Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas make this a full meal.
- Make it mild: Skip the chilli flakes for a kid-friendly version.
- Meal prep winner: Leftovers keep beautifully and reheat well.
- Gluten-free option: Swap soy sauce for tamari and ensure stock and cornflour are GF.
Make Flavorful Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts Tonight
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This flavorful honey garlic chicken is made with juicy pan-seared chicken coated in a sticky, sweet and savory sauce made from honey, soy sauce, garlic, and rice vinegar. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect served over boiled rice for a fast weeknight dinner or as part of a homemade Chinese-style feast.
Ingredients
8 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless (or use thinly sliced chicken breasts)
2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
110 g (about 1/3 cup) honey
80 ml (about 1/3 cup) chicken stock
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, to serve
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes, to serve (optional)
Boiled rice, to serve
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and trim any excess fat if needed.
2. Place the chicken in a bowl and sprinkle over the cornflour, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same pan.
6. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not burnt.
7. Stir in the honey, chicken stock, rice vinegar, and light soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
8. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy and sticky.
9. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, turning the pieces in the sauce until they are well coated and heated through.
10. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a pinch more salt or a splash of vinegar to balance the sweetness.
11. Sprinkle the chicken with chopped fresh parsley and chilli flakes (if using).
12. Serve the honey garlic chicken immediately over boiled rice, spooning extra sauce over the top.
Notes
You can swap the chicken thighs for thinly sliced chicken breasts if you prefer; just take care not to overcook them so they stay juicy.
For a milder dish, leave out the chilli flakes or serve them on the side so everyone can add their own heat.
Add vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to the pan for a complete one-pan dinner.
Use low-sodium soy sauce if you are watching your salt intake.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or stock if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 23
- Sodium: 430
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 120
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serving:
Serve over steamed or boiled rice, jasmine rice, or even noodles. Add a side of sautéed greens for balance.
Storage:
Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the microwave or skillet. The sauce may thicken—just add a splash of stock or water to loosen it.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~390 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbs | 28g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sodium | 430mg |
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a simple, delicious dinner that tastes like your favorite takeout—without the wait—this Honey Garlic Chicken is the answer. With big flavor, minimal ingredients, and endless serving options, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.