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This Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, 20-minute recipe that delivers juicy, pan-fried chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping, this dish is full of flavor, quick to make, and pairs beautifully with rice and vegetables. It’s the ultimate balance of sweetness and garlic, making it a crowd-pleasing meal for the entire family.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (or substitute with skinless, boneless thighs)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¾ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup honey (or maple syrup/brown sugar/corn syrup if allergic to honey)
3 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white/apple cider vinegar)
½ tablespoon regular soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari sauce)
2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
1 teaspoon cornstarch (or potato/tapioca starch)

Directions

Prepare the Chicken: Debone the chicken thighs by making small slits around the bone to easily remove it. Pat the chicken dry on both sides using paper towels.
Season the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, combine garlic, honey, water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Place the chicken skin-side down and fry until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes). Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Add the Sauce: Reduce heat to low-medium and pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken. Let the sauce simmer and thicken. Flip the chicken to coat it evenly in the sauce for about 15 seconds on each side.
Serve: Garnish the chicken with green onions (optional) and serve.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 340 kcal
Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 18g
Protein: 19g
Sodium: 506mg
Cholesterol: 111mg

Why Honey Garlic Chicken is So Special

Honey Garlic Chicken stands out because of the perfect balance of flavors that come together in a simple yet delicious sauce. The crispy, golden-brown chicken thighs, whether skin-on or skinless, provide a satisfying base for the honey garlic sauce. The sauce itself is a combination of honey’s natural sweetness, the rich umami of soy sauce, the aromatic punch of garlic, and the slight acidity from rice vinegar.

What makes this dish even more appealing is how quickly it comes together. In just 20 minutes, you can create a juicy, flavorful chicken dish that feels like a restaurant-quality meal, making it ideal for a fast, weeknight dinner.

Key Ingredients and Their Role in the Recipe

Chicken Thighs: Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs offer a juicy, flavorful base for the dish. The skin helps retain moisture while cooking, resulting in a crisp and savory bite. You can substitute with skinless, boneless thighs for a quicker cook time and less fat.
Garlic: Garlic is the star of the sauce, providing a savory, aromatic punch. It infuses the sauce with its characteristic flavor and pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the honey.
Honey: Honey brings sweetness to the sauce, complementing the garlic and soy sauce and adding richness. If you need a substitute, maple syrup or brown sugar can provide similar sweetness, while corn syrup can work for those with honey allergies.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds depth and umami to the sauce, balancing the sweetness of the honey and the acidity of the vinegar.
Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar offers a mild acidity to the sauce, cutting through the richness of the honey and soy sauce and helping to create a more balanced flavor profile.
Sesame Oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor and depth to the sauce, though it’s optional. If you don’t have sesame oil, you can omit it, and the dish will still be delicious.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce, giving it a nice glaze-like consistency that coats the chicken perfectly.
Vegetable Oil: Used for pan-frying the chicken, vegetable oil ensures a crispy exterior without overpowering the flavors of the chicken or sauce.

How to Make the Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken

Making Honey Garlic Chicken is incredibly simple, and in just a few quick steps, you’ll have a flavorful meal ready in under 30 minutes. Here’s how to do it:

Prepare the Chicken: If using bone-in chicken thighs, carefully debone the chicken by making small slits around the bone. Pat the chicken dry on both sides with paper towels to ensure a crisp exterior when frying.
Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. The seasoning will enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and complement the sauce.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, honey, cold water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil (optional), and cornstarch. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined and the cornstarch dissolves. Set the sauce aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Add the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low-medium. Pour the honey garlic sauce into the same pan, stirring and allowing the sauce to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Once the sauce begins to thicken, return the chicken to the pan and flip it to coat in the sauce. Let it cook for another 15 seconds on each side to evenly coat the chicken with the glaze.
Serve: Once the chicken is coated in the thickened sauce, garnish with freshly cracked black pepper or green onions, if desired. Serve immediately with rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

Pro Tips for Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken

Pat the Chicken Dry: Drying the chicken thoroughly before cooking helps ensure a crisp skin and prevents it from becoming soggy.
Cook the Chicken Skin-Side Down: If using skin-on chicken thighs, always cook the skin-side down first to get a nice, crispy exterior.
Monitor the Sauce: Be careful not to overcook the sauce. Once it begins to thicken, remove the chicken to prevent the sauce from becoming too sticky or burning.
Customize the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more honey. For a more savory or tangy sauce, increase the soy sauce or vinegar to suit your taste.
Meal Prep: This recipe works wonderfully for meal prep. You can cook the chicken and sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat before serving.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Garlic Chicken

This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides:

Rice: Serve with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice to soak up the flavorful honey garlic sauce.
Vegetables: Pair with roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers for a complete, healthy meal. Sautéed spinach or stir-fried greens also work well.
Noodles: Serve over noodles like soba, ramen, or even spaghetti for a fusion-style dish.
Salads: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can help balance out the richness of the chicken and sauce.

Nutritional Information for Honey Garlic Chicken

Each serving of Honey Garlic Chicken contains approximately 340 calories, with 21 grams of fat, including 5 grams of saturated fat. The dish provides 20 grams of carbohydrates, including 3 grams of fiber and 18 grams of sugar. Each serving also provides 19 grams of protein, making it a balanced and satisfying meal.

Conclusion

Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect weeknight meal that is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The combination of tender, pan-fried chicken thighs and a rich honey garlic sauce creates a dish that is both sweet and savory, with just the right amount of tang. Whether served with rice and vegetables or as part of a larger meal, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Quick to make and incredibly flavorful, it’s a great go-to recipe for busy nights or meal prepping.

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