Honey Garlic Chicken (2024)

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Skip the takeout tonight. This is one of my best chicken recipes, and it asks for just 10 minutes of hands-on time. Perk up your chicken breast recipe repertoire with this easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. It’s coated in a sweet and spicy glaze featuring common pantry staples.

If you hear “chicken breast recipe” and think “ugh, not again!” I feel you. Since it’s versatile, budget-friendly, and an easy option to feel the whole family, this was the protein of my childhood.

That doesn’t mean that we always loved it, though. Since boneless skinless chicken breasts are so lean, many chicken breast recipes can err on the bland, boring, and dry side.

My saucy, sassy Honey Garlic Chicken has arrived to help rescue chicken breast’s reputation! The secrets to this dish? Not overcooking the meat, and an almost-instant upgrade via my easy, pantry staple-packed glaze. After 2 minutes under the broiler, that sweet-and-spicy glaze caramelizes and officially transforms this into a chicken dinner idea that you’ll crave.

Think of it as a Honey Garlic Chicken stir fry, no wok required.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is a tasty alternative to regular. Or substitute tamari if you prefer it or are seeking a gluten-free alternative.
• Cornstarch: This might sound like an odd addition, but trust the process. A spoonful is the perfect amount to transform what could be a loose sauce into a lusciously thick glaze.
• Sriracha: Can’t find Sriracha? Your favorite hot sauce, chili paste, and sambal oelek will work in a pinch. You could also add a pinch of red pepper flakes or omit the spice entirely.
• Chicken: If you’d like to crank up the flavor even more, feel free to swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs (the dark meat helps the finished product taste even richer). Just be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly. Regardless of the cut of chicken you choose, use an instant-read thermometer to check that it reaches 160 degrees at the thickest part of the meat before glazing and broiling.
• Sesame seeds: If you have time, toast the sesame seeds to use as a garnish; this small step really amplifies the nutty quality of the seeds.

Step by step instructions

1. To make the glaze, in a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and lime juice. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Season chicken to taste with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat sesame oil.Add chicken and cook without moving until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes.
3. Flip chicken and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown, about 4 minutes longer. Drizzle with glaze and transfer to oven.
4. Bake until chicken is tender and 160 degrees when tested with an internal thermometer at the thickest part of a breast, about 25 minutes. Preheat broiler on HIGH.
5. Pour glaze over chicken and broil 2 minutes. Remove from oven and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: My Honey Garlic Chicken recipe makes four servings of chicken, 6 ounces each.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
• Rice: Serve this easy chicken recipe over a bed of cooked white rice, hearty brown rice, cooked quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
• Vegetables: For a veggie-forward meal, serve your Honey Garlic Chicken with Blanched Broccoli, Roasted Zucchini, Sautéed Asparagus, or a simple cold Asian Cucumber Salad.
• Teriyaki: Craving teriyaki? Trade out the Honey Garlic sauce for a simple Teriyaki Sauce. It broils into a sticky glaze the same way, and it’s absolutely delicious.
• Inspired salads: Try Honey Garlic Chicken (leftover or otherwise) on Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Salad Dressing, Baby Bok Choy Salad with Sesame Dressing, or Rainbow Thai Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing.