This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a quick and delicious dinner that can be whipped up in just 15 minutes! With a perfect balance of sweet honey and savory garlic, this dish offers an irresistible flavor that pairs wonderfully with rice, veggies, or noodles. The rich, golden-brown chicken breasts are coated in a delectable sauce that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts (skinless) – 2 medium
- Salt – To taste
- Ground black pepper – To taste
- All-purpose flour – For coating the chicken
- Butter – 40 g (2.8 tbsp) + 20 g (1.4 tbsp)
- Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
- Spring onion – Chopped, for garnish
- Light soy sauce – 1 tbsp
- Vinegar – 1 tbsp (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- Honey – 5 tbsp
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat Dry the Chicken: Start by patting the 2 chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and gets a nice golden crust.
- Cut and Season: Score diagonal cuts halfway through the chicken breasts. Then, rotate the chicken and make similar diagonal cuts in the opposite direction, creating a crosshatch pattern. This step helps the seasoning and sauce penetrate the chicken for maximum flavor.
- Season: Sprinkle the chicken with a pinch of salt and ground black pepper, then massage the seasoning into the meat to ensure even coverage.
- Coat with Flour: Lightly coat the chicken breasts with all-purpose flour, making sure all sides are evenly covered. This gives the chicken a nice crust when fried.
Step 2: Cooking the Honey Garlic Chicken
- Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat and melt 40 g of butter. Once the butter starts sizzling, it’s time to add the chicken.
- Fry the Chicken: Add the seasoned, floured chicken breasts to the skillet. Fry for about 4-5 minutes on the first side until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Prepare the Garlic: While the chicken is frying, mince 3 garlic cloves and set them aside for later.
- Flip and Add Butter: Flip the chicken breasts and fry the other side for another 4 minutes. Add 20 g of butter to the skillet, letting it melt and baste the chicken.
Step 3: Creating the Honey Garlic Sauce
- Add the Garlic: Once the second side of the chicken has browned, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce and stir it around the skillet. Then, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 5 tablespoons of honey, stirring everything together. Let the sauce simmer and reduce slightly, thickening into a sweet and savory glaze.
- Flip and Baste: Continue flipping the chicken to ensure it gets well coated in the sauce. As the sauce reduces, it will cling to the chicken, infusing it with flavor.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- Add Spring Onions: Chop the spring onions and add them to the skillet just before turning off the heat. The residual heat will soften the onions and release their flavor without overcooking them.
- Rest the Chicken: Let the chicken rest in the skillet for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken even more.
- Serve: Plate the honey garlic chicken and drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet over the top. Garnish with additional chopped spring onions if desired.
Tips:
- Perfect Crust: Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken to achieve a crisp, golden crust.
- Thicker Sauce: For a thicker sauce, simmer the honey garlic sauce a little longer before turning off the heat.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the chicken over steamed rice, with sautéed vegetables, or alongside noodles for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information (per serving, assuming 2 servings):
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Fat: 24 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
This quick and flavorful Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is the perfect go-to for busy weeknights. With its crispy chicken and rich honey garlic sauce, it’s bound to become a household favorite!
