Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared and coated in a sticky, sweet, and garlicky honey sauce for a quick, comforting dinner. This easy one-pan recipe is ready in 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred, or Tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar/white wine vinegar/lemon juice)
- 2 tablespoons water
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick or uneven, pound to about 3/4-inch thickness.
- Season both sides of chicken with salt and black pepper. Dredge lightly in flour if using; shake off excess.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, water, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot and foamy, add chicken in a single layer.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on the first side until golden brown. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour honey garlic sauce into skillet, swirling to coat chicken. Simmer 2-3 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken as it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Remove skillet from heat. Let chicken rest in sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or chives and sesame seeds if desired. Slice chicken before serving and spoon extra sauce over the top.
Notes
For juiciest chicken, pound breasts to even thickness and avoid overcooking. Taste the sauce before adding to the pan and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired. For gluten-free, use almond flour and Tamari or coconut aminos. Add veggies like snap peas or bell peppers for extra nutrition. Leftovers keep well and are great for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 6 oz cooked)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 30
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, chicken breasts, easy dinner, 30 minute meal, skillet chicken, weeknight dinner, one pan, healthy chicken recipe, gluten free option, meal prep