If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and utterly delicious meal to impress your family, this Honey Butter Garlic Chicken recipe is my go to for weeknight dinners. Today, I’m making a variation that’s perfectly balanced, combining juicy, tender chicken pieces lightly coated in flour and pan-fried to a thin, crispy crust that soaks up all the buttery, sweet, savory, and sticky sauce. The flavors are absolutely addictive, and I’ve seen it quickly become a popular favorite among readers. Whether you pair it with proteins like shrimp, salmon, or tofu, or serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, and veggies such as green beans or zucchini, it makes a complete, tasty, and loaded dinner your entire family will love.
I’ve been making this 30 minute recipe so often that I’ve fine tuned all the adjustments to get the best flavor every time. It’s amazing how a simple mix of honey, garlic, and butter transforms into juicy bites with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and buttery goodness. From the pan-fried chicken with a crispy crust to the smothered sauce, it’s a tasty idea for any night when you want something loved and loved again. Using common pantry staples keeps it easy, yet the entire dish feels special and perfect for your table.
What Is Honey Butter Garlic Chicken?i
Honey Butter Garlic Chicken is a heavenly recipe where crispy chicken pieces, whether thighs or breast, are coated in a rich butter and garlic herb sauce with a tiny kick of heat and sweetness, creating a full meal experience. It can be served on top of steamed rice or wrapped in lettuce wraps for a complete, family favorite that makes the house smell amazing. You can also pair it with shrimp for added variety, and serving it this way brings out the made from scratch flavor, making it a favorite at family dinners and an easy, impressive dish for any meal.
Why This Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Recipe Works:
This Honey Butter Garlic Chicken recipe works so well because simple ingredients like honey and garlic blend together to create a powerful flavor with the perfect sweetness. The chicken is cooked in a skillet until juicy and tender, and cut into bite sized bites that are quick to make and packed with sauce. A hint of spice or hot flavor can be added, and for variation, you can also use salmon, making this a dish everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Honey Garlic Butter Chicken:
Here are Ingredients You’ll Need to make this recipe:
Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
- Thighs for dark meat if preferred
- Should remain juicy and full of flavor
Garlic
- Fresh garlic for best taste
- Garlic powder as an alternative, noting the effect on the dish
Vinegar & Acidity
- Apple cider vinegar to balance acidity
Herbs & Freshness
- Parsley leaves or green onions to enhance freshness and color
Overall Dish Notes
- This combination creates a favorite dish that is perfect for family meals
How to Make Honey Butter Garlic Chicken (Step-by-Step):
Here is how you can make this recipe described in a very simple and easy steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Flatten boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs evenly using a rolling pin between plastic wrap, parchment paper, or a ziploc bag. Adjust for smaller or larger sizes (5–8 oz each) or cut half lengthwise into 4 cutlets for consistent cooking so the center is not raw and the ends are not drier. This helps with even caramelization on all edges and surfaces.
Step 2: Season and Coat
Dust the chicken lightly with flour or cornstarch for a thin, crispy crust on both sides, using a plate for coating. Massaging in salt and pepper ensures the flavor penetrates the meat. This preparation step makes the chicken juicy and tender while cooking.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat a large skillet with olive oil and Land O’ Lakes butter, sliced into cubes using measurements from a tablespoon, cup, or packaging. Fry the chicken until golden brown, turning carefully. This ensures a crispy, caramelized crust and preserves the juiciness inside.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Mix honey, maple syrup or agave, soy sauce (regular or low sodium like La Choy), apple cider vinegar, fresh garlic, cilantro, chili flakes, and optional garlic powder. Stir and simmer until the sauce becomes saucier, sticky, and fully coats the chicken. Add 1/4 cup broth for extra creaminess and balance of sweetness, acidity, and savory glaze.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the chicken over a bed of white rice or mashed potatoes, with greens, green beans, or zucchini. Enjoy the delicious, sweet, and savory flavor of this 30-minute, easy, juicy, tender meal. It’s a family favorite, perfect for weeknight dinners or a quick full meal that everyone will love.
Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe Tips:
When making honey butter garlic chicken, ensure all ingredients are chopped, measured, and ready so your dish comes together fast; pat chicken dry before searing to get a golden, crispy crust, and cook it evenly to avoid overcooking. While it simmers, let the sauce thicken and clings beautifully to the pieces, creating a saucy, buttery goodness that soaks into rice, mashed potatoes, or sides. Adjust the size of your chicken to ensure even cooking, and always serve it hot for maximum flavor.
How to make Honey Butter Garlic Chicken:
Here is the visual assistance that will help you make this Honey Butter Garlic Chicken recipe:
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Results:
Here are some recipe tips and tricks that can be beneficial during making this recipe:
- For the best honey butter garlic chicken, choose your chicken carefully, dark meat, thighs, or breast and cook them for shorter times if you want to avoid dry, overcooked pieces.
- You can pair with shrimp for a full meal and adjust the taste to your liking, balancing sweetness and spiciness.
- For easy meal prep, make ahead and store in an air-tight container in the fridge so you can heat it quickly when hungry.
How to Customize Your Honey Butter Garlic Chicken:
You can easily customize your chicken by adding a touch of heat with red pepper flakes or a few dashes to give it a gentle kick, and brighten the flavor by sprinkle some lime or lemon juice for fresh zest, making the dish even more vibrant and tasty.
More Chicken Recipes:
You’ll also love to try these recipes:
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Chicken Sausage and Cabbage Skillet
- One-Pan Chicken and Rice
- Pan-Fried Chicken Breasts
Notes for Honey Butter Garlic Chicken:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, either smaller 5-8 oz pieces or large cut into half lengthwise to get 4 cutlets.
- For juicier and saucier results, add 1/4 cup broth while cooking.
- Sprinkle a few dashes of red pepper flakes and a touch of lime or lemon juice to enhance flavor.
- Keep your dish fast, chopped, measured, and ready.
- Adjust cooking time for thighs or breasts to avoid dry or overcooked meat.
- Using salted butter or unsalted butter like Challenge sticks requires careful swapping.
- Teaspoon, tablespoons, and 1/8 measurements help in adding less salt for balanced taste.
- Always preheat your super hot pan for color and even cooking.
Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Recipe FAQs:
Can I double the sauce?
Yes! You can easily double the sauce for a tasty addition to your Honey Butter Garlic Chicken, making it even more flavorful and perfect for sharing.
What to serve with the Chicken?
For a complete meal, serve your chicken bites with white rice or mashed potatoes and drizzle with the honey butter sauce. Add oven roasted asparagus or broccoli florets for a fantastic, delicious side dish that makes the dinner great.
Why did my sauce not thicken?
If your sauce didn’t thicken, it likely didn’t simmer long enough for the honey, butter, soy, and garlic to properly reduce and cling to the chicken, which is key for a rich, flavorful coating.
