This honey garlic chicken is a simple weeknight dinner with tender chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory garlic sauce. The combination of honey, fresh garlic, soy sauce, and a little lemon creates a flavorful glaze that comes together quickly in one skillet.
Serve this easy chicken dinner over steamed rice with your favorite vegetables for a complete family meal. It’s comforting, flavorful, and simple enough to make on a busy evening.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Made in one skillet
- Sweet and savory flavor
- Tender, juicy chicken
- Simple everyday ingredients
- Great for busy weeknights
- Delicious with rice and vegetables
- Easy to customize
- Family-friendly
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For Garnishing
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
Cut them into bite-sized pieces of similar size so they cook evenly.
Place the chicken in a bowl and season with salt and black pepper.
Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss until lightly coated.
The thin flour coating helps the chicken develop a golden exterior and gives the sauce something to cling to.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth.
Set both aside.
3. Brown the Chicken
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 3 to 4 minutes on the first side.
Turn the chicken and continue cooking until golden brown and nearly cooked through.
Avoid overcrowding the skillet. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches.
4. Add the Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken.
Stir gently so every piece becomes coated.
Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 2 minutes.
5. Thicken the Sauce
Give the cornstarch mixture another quick stir and pour it into the skillet.
Toss the chicken gently as the sauce simmers.
Within about 1 to 2 minutes, the sauce should become thicker and glossy.
6. Finish Cooking
Continue cooking until the chicken is completely cooked through and reaches 165°F in the thickest pieces.
The sauce should cling to the chicken without being overly thick.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
7. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken.
Add fresh parsley if desired.
Serve immediately over steamed white rice, brown rice, or your favorite grain.
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work particularly well because they cook quickly and absorb the honey garlic sauce beautifully.
You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Chicken thighs are slightly richer and more forgiving if they cook a little longer.
How Do I Keep the Chicken Juicy?
Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
Avoid cooking them for much longer than necessary.
A quick sear over medium-high heat helps create a golden exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Always check the thickest pieces with an instant-read thermometer and cook until they reach 165°F.
Can I Make This Without Flour?
Yes.
The flour is mainly used to help brown the chicken and give the sauce something to cling to.
You can skip it if you prefer.
For a gluten-free version, use a certified gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch as appropriate and make sure your soy sauce is gluten-free.
How Do I Keep the Honey From Burning?
Honey contains natural sugars, so it can burn if exposed to very high heat for too long.
That’s why the chicken is browned first and the honey garlic sauce is added after reducing the heat.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil.
Easy Variations
Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken
Add extra red pepper flakes or a little sriracha to the sauce.
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
Honey Garlic Chicken With Broccoli
Add steamed broccoli during the final few minutes and toss it with the glazed chicken.
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry
Add sliced bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas.
Lemon Honey Garlic Chicken
Increase the fresh lemon juice slightly for a brighter, tangier sauce.
Sesame Honey Chicken
Add a little extra sesame oil and finish with toasted sesame seeds.
What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken
This chicken is especially delicious with simple sides that can soak up the sauce.
Try serving it with:
- Steamed white rice
- Brown rice
- Jasmine rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Steamed carrots
- Cucumber salad
For an easy family dinner, serve the chicken over jasmine rice with steamed broccoli.
Can I Add Vegetables?
Absolutely.
Broccoli is one of the easiest additions.
You can also add:
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Snow peas
- Snap peas
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Baby corn
Cook firmer vegetables before adding the chicken sauce so they have enough time to become tender.
Can I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Ahead?
Yes.
You can prepare the chicken and sauce a few hours ahead and refrigerate them separately.
For the best texture, cook the chicken shortly before serving.
If you’re meal prepping, the finished dish also reheats well.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the chicken to cool before placing it in an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Store the rice and chicken separately when possible.
How to Reheat Honey Garlic Chicken
Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add a small splash of water if the sauce has become too thick.
You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring halfway through.
Can I Freeze Honey Garlic Chicken?
Yes.
Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
The sauce may become slightly thinner after freezing and thawing, but it will still be flavorful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is honey garlic chicken spicy?
Not necessarily. The basic recipe is sweet and savory. Red pepper flakes are optional, so you can leave them out for a mild version.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and stay juicy.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is preferred because it has a brighter flavor, but bottled lemon juice can work when necessary.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and make sure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free if needed.
Why is my sauce too thick?
Add a tablespoon or two of water or broth and gently warm the sauce until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Why isn’t my sauce glossy?
Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved before adding it. Then allow the sauce to simmer gently for a minute or two.
Recipe Card
Honey Garlic Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American-Asian Inspired
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For Garnishing:
- 2 tablespoons green onions
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Toss chicken lightly with flour.
- Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
- Mix cornstarch and water separately.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet.
- Brown chicken for 3–4 minutes per side.
- Reduce heat and pour in the honey garlic sauce.
- Simmer for about 2 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch mixture and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Cook until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve over rice or vegetables.