If you’re looking for a dish that captures both sweet and savory in every bite, look no further than Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken. This delightful recipe pairs tender chicken thighs with a sticky, flavorful honey garlic sauce that will make your taste buds dance. It’s simple to make and is sure to impress your family and friends!
Why make this recipe
Making Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken is a fantastic choice for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Secondly, the combination of honey and garlic creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and unique. Lastly, this dish is versatile—it can be served over rice, vegetables, or even in wraps. You’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and time again!
How to prepare Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken
Uh-oh! Before you dive into cooking, let’s gather everything you need to make this tasty meal.
Ingredients:
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus more for searing
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 110g (1/3 cup) honey
- 80ml (1/3 cup) chicken stock
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 tbsp cold water (for slurry)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- Cooked rice, for serving
Steps:
Prepare Chicken
Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, drizzle chicken with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then sprinkle with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
Craft the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a liquid measuring cup or bowl, combine minced garlic, 110g honey, 80ml chicken stock, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, and optional ½ tsp chilli flakes. Whisk until well combined. In a separate small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp cornstarch with 4 tbsp cold water until smooth to form a slurry. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet (non-stick or cast iron) over medium-high heat with additional vegetable oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Sear chicken in batches without overcrowding the pan for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden-brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
Glaze and Finish
Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the skillet, bringing it to a gentle simmer while stirring continuously. Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry, then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce in a thin stream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze that coats the back of a spoon. Return all cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing gently but thoroughly to coat every piece in the sticky glaze. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
Serve
Transfer Honey Garlic Chicken to a serving platter or individual bowls. Garnish generously with finely chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately over cooked rice.
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How to serve Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken
The best way to serve this dish is over a bed of fluffy cooked rice. The rice will soak up the delicious honey garlic sauce. You can also pair it with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
How to store Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken
If you have leftovers, place the Honey Garlic Chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
Tips to make Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken perfectly
- Pat the chicken dry: This helps the chicken to sear properly and develop a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cooking the chicken in batches ensures even cooking.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of honey according to your taste.
Variations
Feel free to customize this recipe! You can add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas to the skillet during the glazing step for extra nutrition and flavor. For a little heat, increase the amount of chili flakes to suit your spice preference.
FAQ
1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts can be used, but they may require slightly less cooking time, so keep an eye on them!
2. What can I use instead of honey?
If you’re looking for a substitute, maple syrup can work well, though it will give a different flavor profile.
3. Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then combine and heat just before serving.
Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Chicken
A delightful dish featuring tender chicken thighs in a sticky honey garlic sauce that’s simple to make and impresses every time.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus more for searing
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 110g (1/3 cup) honey
- 80ml (1/3 cup) chicken stock
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 tbsp cold water (for slurry)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, drizzle chicken with vegetable oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
- Craft the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a liquid measuring cup, combine minced garlic, honey, chicken stock, rice vinegar, light soy sauce, and optional chilli flakes. Whisk well. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with additional vegetable oil and butter. Sear chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden-brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Glaze and Finish: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour honey garlic sauce into the skillet, bringing it to a simmer. Slowly add cornstarch slurry, stirring until the sauce thickens. Return chicken to skillet, tossing to coat in glaze and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer Honey Garlic Chicken to a serving platter or bowls, garnish with parsley, and serve immediately over cooked rice.
Notes
Can add vegetables during glazing for extra nutrition. Adjust honey for sweetness preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chicken, honey garlic, weeknight dinner, savory, sweet, Asian cuisine