Honey Garlic Chicken

Quick Weeknight Dinner Serves 4 30 Minutes

This honey garlic chicken delivers restaurant-quality flavor with almost no effort. Tender chicken thighs are seared to golden perfection, then coated in a sticky, savory-sweet glaze that clings to every bite. It comes together in one skillet with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

When weeknights get hectic, this is the recipe that saves dinner. The honey caramelizes beautifully against the soy sauce and garlic, creating a sauce so good you will want to spoon it over everything on your plate. Serve it over steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6-8 thighs)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prep the chicken. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165F). Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. Cook the garlic. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
4. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the garlic.
5. Thicken the glaze. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
6. Glaze the chicken. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and turn to coat them completely in the sauce. Cook for another minute, spooning the glaze over the top.
7. Serve. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with extra sauce from the pan, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve over steamed rice.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken

Variations

• Spicy version: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• With ginger: Add 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger along with the garlic.
• Sheet pan method: Toss chicken in the sauce and bake at 400F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Slow cooker: Combine all sauce ingredients in a slow cooker, add chicken, and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
• With veggies: Add broccoli florets or snap peas to the skillet when making the sauce for a one-pan meal.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (1/4 of recipe):

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