If you’re craving a dish that’s both simple and bursting with flavor, this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and buttery goodness that comes together fast — trust me, you’ll want to make it again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t say enough about how this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe became a staple in my weeknight rotation. It’s straightforward enough for busy evenings, yet the flavors feel like you’ve put in way more effort than just 20 minutes of cooking. Plus, the sauce is seriously addictive — rich, buttery, sweet with a hint of tanginess from the vinegar.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in about 15 minutes, perfect for those nights when you want something homemade but fast.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, making this a zero-hassle weeknight dinner.
- Versatile Flavors: The sweet and garlicky sauce pairs beautifully with a range of sides and is easy to tweak to your taste.
- Impressively Delicious: Despite the simplicity, it’s a dish guests will request again — and you’ll love serving it!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a part in creating that perfect harmony in the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. I love how the butter and honey form a rich sticky glaze, while garlic adds depth and the soy sauce and vinegar bring a subtle savory balance. Here’s my breakdown:
- Chicken breasts: I like using smaller boneless, skinless breasts for quick cooking and easy portioning; pounding them ensures they cook evenly.
- Salt and pepper: Classic seasoning to bring out the natural flavor of the chicken.
- Flour: Lightly dredging in flour creates a golden crust and helps thicken the sauce.
- Butter: The star for richness and glossy finish — plus, it mellows the garlic’s bite perfectly.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the dish its signature aroma and savory punch.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and balances the tang and saltiness beautifully.
- Soy sauce: Brings umami depth and a touch of saltiness that pairs wonderfully with honey.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that cuts through the richness and brightens up the sauce.
- Chicken broth (optional): Use it if you want a saucier finish without losing flavor intensity.
- Parsley / green onions (optional): Fresh herbs add a pop of color and a light freshness that contrasts nicely with the buttery sauce.
Make It Your Way
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you’re craving more kick, want it saucier, or need to swap ingredients for dietary reasons, it’s super adaptable.
- Variation: When I want a little heat, I add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic. It gives just the right amount of warmth without overpowering the sweet garlic sauce.
- Make it saucier: Adding chicken broth makes the sauce silkier and more abundant — great when serving over rice or pasta.
- Brighten it up: A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice right at the end lifts the whole dish, especially during spring and summer.
- Diet-friendly: Swap butter for olive oil and use gluten-free flour for a lighter, allergy-safe version.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep chicken for even cooking
First things first—pound those chicken breasts to about half an inch thick using a meat mallet. This step is key because thinner chicken cooks faster and stays juicy without drying out. After that, season generously with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece in flour, shaking off the excess. The flour helps develop a golden crust and gives your sauce some body.
Step 2: Sear until golden brown
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of butter, and let it melt until foaming. Place your chicken breasts in the pan and cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes until beautifully golden on one side. Flip and sear the other side just 1-2 minutes to get a nice color without overcooking.
Step 3: Make the honey garlic butter sauce
Turn the heat to medium, add the last tablespoon of butter, and toss in the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant — don’t let it burn! Then, pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar mixture you whisked earlier. Let it simmer, gently coating the chicken. If you want it saucier, add chicken broth now and keep simmering until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked (165ºF internal temperature).
Step 4: Final touches before serving
Turn the chicken to coat both sides in the luscious sauce before plating. I like to sprinkle on fresh parsley or chopped green onions for color and a pop of fresh flavor. Serve immediately for best taste.
Top Tip
From countless times making this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference between good and absolutely crave-worthy.
- Even thickness: Don’t skip pounding the chicken — it ensures even cooking and prevents those dry edges.
- Butter timing: Adding garlic to melted butter on medium heat avoids burning and releases that amazing aroma.
- Use a meat thermometer: This helps you pull the chicken right at 165ºF, so it stays juicy and safe.
- Patience on searing: Let the chicken form that golden crust by not moving it too soon — this locks in moisture and flavor.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I usually go for fresh chopped parsley or green onions right before serving — they add freshness and that nice green pop that makes the dish look as good as it tastes. Sometimes, I toss on a few toasted sesame seeds for crunch and a subtle nutty flavor, which pairs surprisingly well with the soy-honey mix.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides for this chicken recipe are fluffy jasmine rice or buttery mashed potatoes — both soak up the luscious sauce perfectly. For something lighter, I love a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or steamed broccoli tossed with lemon zest.
Creative Ways to Present
On special occasions, I like plating the chicken over a bed of garlic butter spinach or creamy polenta, drizzling extra sauce over everything. Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens gives it an elegant touch that wows guests without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it chills, so I add a splash of chicken broth or water when reheating to loosen it up and bring back that silky texture.
Freezing
This chicken freezes surprisingly well — just let it cool completely, then portion and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to revive the sauce’s moisture. Microwaving works too—just cover to keep the steam in and avoid drying the chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great here, especially boneless, skinless ones. They tend to be juicier and more forgiving if you slightly overcook. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly since thighs might take a bit longer to cook through.
The key is to add the garlic once you’ve lowered the heat to medium and the butter is melted but not bubbling too aggressively. Stir constantly and cook for just 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant. Burnt garlic tastes bitter and can ruin the sauce.
Yes! Simply swap out all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for dredging the chicken. Just be sure to shake off excess to keep the coating light. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your soy sauce label since some contain wheat—you can use tamari as a gluten-free alternative.
Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable method—aim for an internal temperature of 165ºF (75ºC). The chicken should also be firm to the touch and the juices should run clear when poked. Overcooking dries out the meat, so keep an eye on it especially since the chicken is pounded thin.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it hits all the right notes: quick, flavorful, and irresistibly comforting. Whenever I make it, I’m reminded that great meals don’t have to be complicated. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do — it’s one you can rely on anytime you want to impress without the stress. Now, get cooking and enjoy every buttery, garlicky, honey-drizzled bite!
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Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and coated in a luscious honey garlic butter sauce. With simple pantry ingredients like honey, garlic, butter, and soy sauce, this dish is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner option that delivers sweet, savory, and aromatic notes in every bite.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup flour
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup chicken broth (optional)
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until well combined to create the sauce.
- Pound the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a plastic bag and pound to an even ½ inch thickness using a meat mallet. This helps them cook evenly.
- Season and Dredge: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a light coating.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken breasts and sear on one side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Flip Chicken: Turn the chicken breasts over and sear on the other side for 1-2 minutes, achieving a slight golden crust.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet, then add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the skillet. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce until it thickens slightly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make it Saucy (Optional): For a thinner, more abundant sauce, stir in ¼ cup of chicken broth and simmer for an additional minute.
- Coat and Garnish: Turn the chicken to coat all sides evenly in the sauce. Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
- Serve: Plate the chicken and spoon extra sauce over the top. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use smaller boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz). For larger breasts, slice them in half horizontally to make cutlets for quicker cooking.
- To make the sauce saucier, add ¼ cup chicken broth when simmering.
- Add a bit of heat with a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Brighten the flavor by adding a splash of lime or lemon juice just before serving.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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