Honey Garlic Chicken Breast is a delightful Chinese-inspired dish that perfectly blends the sweet taste of honey with the rich flavors of garlic and soy sauce. It's a great option for both lunch and dinner, especially since you can prepare it in less than 30 minutes.
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This recipe starts with chicken breasts coated in flour, fried until golden, and then covered in a delicious honey garlic sauce. Its simple preparation and quick cooking time make it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, delivering a flavor that reminds you of a meal you'd enjoy at a Chinese restaurant.
Explore More Honey-Infused Recipes:
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Honey Garlic Salmon
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Honey Mustard Sauce
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make Honey Garlic Chicken Breast, you'll need the following ingredients, all of which are easily available in most grocery stores. Let's take a look at what you will need:
- Chicken: Use thinly sliced chicken breast pieces for quicker cooking. If you prefer, chicken thighs are also a great alternative.
- Honey: Brings a delightful sweetness to balance the savory elements of the dish.
- Garlic: Crucial for adding a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Flour Mix: Mix all-purpose flour with cornstarch to coat the chicken, giving it a light crispiness.
- Soy Sauce: Choose regular all-purpose soy sauce for a robust flavor, or opt for low sodium soy sauce if you're watching your salt intake.
- Spice Powders: Combine ginger, garlic, chili, and pepper powders with chili flakes to give the sauce a warm, deep flavor profile.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken at Home?
Let's cook Honey Garlic Chicken Breast together! Follow my simple steps with photos and video to coat the chicken in flour, fry it until golden, and make a mouthwatering honey garlic sauce and assemble the dish. Ready? Let's go!
Explore More Chicken Breast Recipes:
- General Tso's Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Orange Chicken
- Sesame Chicken
- Lemon Chicken
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Chicken Marsala
- Chicken Piccata
- Chicken Fajita
- Pesto Chicken
- Garlic Butter Chicken
- Chicken Parmesan
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients
For Flour Coating
- 2 lb Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup Cornstarch
- ½ tsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
For Honey Garlic Chicken
- 3 tbsp Oil
- 2 tbsp Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- 3 tbsp Honey
- Salt, to taste
- 3 tbsp Water
For Garnishing
- Sesame Seeds
- Cilantro
Instructions
Flour Coating Chicken
- In a wide tray, mix all-purpose flour, cornstarch, chili powder, ginger powder, garlic powder, pepper powder, and salt until well combined.
- Dredge each piece of chicken breast in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coat. Shake off any excess flour before moving on to the next piece.
Frying the Chicken
- Place a pan over medium heat and add oil. Wait until the oil is hot, then carefully place the flour-coated chicken breasts in the pan. Fry them for 3 to 5 minutes on one side.
- Turn the chicken breasts over and continue frying for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
- Once fried, remove the chicken breasts from the pan and set them aside on a plate for later use.
Making Honey Garlic Chicken
- In the same pan with the remaining oil, add minced garlic and sauté until it is fragrant but not browned, forming the flavor base for your sauce.
- Add soy sauce, chili flakes, vinegar, and honey to the pan, along with a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the honey dissolves completely and the flavors meld together.
- Pour in water and mix thoroughly. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil to allow the flavors to intensify as the sauce reduces slightly.
- Add the fried chicken breasts to the pan. Use a spoon to baste them with the sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. This step allows the chicken to soak up all the delicious flavors.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently. Stir occasionally and watch as the sauce thickens to a glossy, rich consistency that coats the chicken.
- Finish by sprinkling sesame seeds over the chicken. Once done, remove the pan from the heat. Your delicious Honey Garlic Chicken is now ready to savor and enjoy.
Serving
- Enjoy this sweet and savory Honey Garlic Chicken with rice, roasted broccoli, roasted green beans, or your preferred sides for a satisfying lunch or dinner. For more pairing ideas, check out our Serving Suggestions section below.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Chicken Options: I typically use chicken breast for a leaner option, but for those who enjoy a richer flavor, boneless chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative. Both cuts are excellent for absorbing the honey garlic sauce.
- Garlic Prep: Opt for freshly minced garlic over jarred garlic to achieve the best flavor. Fresh garlic offers a more potent and vibrant taste that can truly elevate your dish. Be careful not to burn the garlic while sautéing, as this can drastically alter the flavor.
- Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and add it to the sauce as it simmers. This will help thicken the sauce so it clings better to the chicken.
- Balancing Flavors: Depending on your taste preferences, adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce by adding more honey or a splash more vinegar. This allows you to fine-tune the sauce to perfectly match your desired flavor profile.
- Resting the Chicken: After cooking, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This pause helps the juices settle back into the meat, ensuring that your chicken stays moist and full of flavor.
- Garnishing: Add a finishing touch with some chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of cilantro. This not only adds color but also a layer of fresh flavor that complements the savory-sweet sauce.
- Cooking Methods: Adapt this recipe to your favorite cooking method! Pan-frying offers a quick and easy way to achieve a golden crust. For a healthier option, baking or air-frying reduces the amount of oil needed while still delivering a crispy exterior.
- Baking Instructions: When baking, ensure your oven is preheated to 450°F. Place the flour-coated chicken on a baking tray and cook for 15-18 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F, guaranteeing the chicken is safely cooked through.
- Air Fryer Method: For those who prefer a crunchier texture, the air fryer is perfect. Cook the chicken at 360°F for 15-20 minutes. This method also allows for less oil use, making it a healthier choice.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for more? Explore a world of flavors with our collection of versatile chicken breast recipes and authentic Chinese dishes. Whether you're craving simple, delicious chicken meals or the rich, diverse flavors of traditional Asian cuisine, we have something for every food lover.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs wonderfully with various types of rice, such as white or brown rice, to complement its flavors. For a more rounded meal, consider my top picks for sides:
- Rice Dishes: Pair your Honey Garlic Chicken Breast with a selection of rice. Choose from white, brown, black, or red rice, each offering its own unique flavor and texture to complement the dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: Enhance your meal with sides like roasted potatoes, broccoli, or asparagus.
- Grains: Consider serving the Honey Garlic Chicken Breast with grains like quinoa, couscous, or farro. These options make excellent alternatives to rice and are wonderful at absorbing the sauce.
- Noodles: Serve the chicken over a bed of steamed or stir-fried noodles. Options like soba, udon, or even spaghetti work well with the savory sauce.
- Salads: Offer a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette on the side to add a crisp, refreshing contrast to the sweet and savory chicken.
- Steamed Vegetables: Accompany the chicken with steamed broccoli, green beans, carrots, or a mix of seasonal vegetables for a healthy and colorful side.
Storage Suggestions
For optimal freshness and taste, it’s best to enjoy the Honey Garlic Chicken Breast freshly made, especially since it comes together quickly in just 30 minutes. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, they can be efficiently stored by placing them in an airtight container and refrigerating.
Properly stored, the leftovers will maintain their quality for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm them in a microwave or on the stovetop until heated through, which can help restore some of the dish's original texture and flavor.
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