Description
Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make Asian-inspired main course featuring tender boneless skinless chicken thighs cooked in a savory honey garlic sauce. This skillet dish combines sweetness, tanginess, and a hint of spice, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, it pairs beautifully with rice, steamed vegetables, or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional for thickening)
Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with ground black pepper and paprika to enhance flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice or apple cider vinegar until well combined.
- Simmer Chicken with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the browned chicken. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking and allowing the sauce to reduce and begin to thicken.
- Thicken Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, stirring gently until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to absorb the flavors. Spoon extra sauce over the top, then garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Serve this dish over steamed white or brown rice, noodles, or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs, but reduce the simmering time slightly to avoid drying out the meat.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
