Description
Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts combine tender, juicy chicken with a deliciously balanced sauce of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of vinegar. This quick and easy stovetop recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and can be served with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for 1–2 minutes while stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them thoroughly with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat the chicken through and let the flavors absorb.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, and serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or quinoa for a balanced meal.
- Adjust honey or soy sauce amounts based on preference for sweetness or saltiness.
- For extra depth of flavor, add a splash of toasted sesame oil at the end of cooking.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
