Honey Butter Garlic Chicken

Honey butter garlic chicken is easy and loaded with tender bites of chicken in a delicious sauce! Using simple pantry staples, it can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Honey butter chicken on a bed of white rice.


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A family favorite loved time and time again. Perfectly balanced with flavors that the whole family will love.

The chicken pieces are smothered in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce that is absolutely delicious! If you love shrimp and are looking for another simple recipe, check out my Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp, another quick dinner idea for the entire family.

Why this recipe works

Honey and garlic are two easy ingredients that blend beautifully together, the sweetness of the honey and the powerful flavor of the garlic. Honey garlic chicken is cooked in a skillet and uses just a few simple ingredients. Juicy, tender chicken bites in a quick sauce that's packed full of flavor. Want a little spice? Try this Hot Honey Salmon Skillet, I think you'll love it!

Ingredients for this recipe

Ingredients Notes

  • Chicken- you can use boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken tenders in the recipe. But hands down, the thighs are my favorite. Dark meat is always juicy and never dried out.
  • Garlic- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Garlic powder doesn't have the same effect here.
  • Apple cider vinegar- adds the perfect amount of acidity.
  • Parsley leaves or green onions- both will work to add a bit of freshness and color to the dish.


How to make this recipe

Chopped pieces of chicken thighs then sauteed in a hot skillet.

Step 1- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces

Step 2- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet, add the chicken, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden brown.

Chicken bites with garlic and honey added into the skillet.

Step 3- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the chicken is coated.

Step 4- Simmer the honey garlic sauce and chicken to caramelize.

Chicken pieces on a serving spoon.

Recipe Tips

  • This dish comes together fast, so you need to have everything chopped, measured, and ready to go.
  • Patting the chicken dry before searing helps the chicken brown better and gives a nice golden crust.
  • Simmer the sauce until it thickens. Let the honey, butter, soy sauce, and garlic reduce slightly so it clings to the chicken.
  • Serve it hot over rice or mashed potatoes. It’s all about that saucy, buttery goodness soaking into your sides.
  • Cut the chicken pieces into the same size so they cook evenly. Do not overcook the chicken.

A spoon pouring honey dauce over chicken.

Recipe Faq's

Can I double the sauce?

Absolutely! This is definitely a tasty sauce and very easy to double.

What to serve with the chicken?

These chicken bites can be served over white rice or mashed potatoes, the honey butter sauce is fantastic over both. My oven-roasted asparagus or roasted broccoli florets are a delicious side dish that would work great.

Why did my sauce not thicken?

You need to make sure you simmer the sauce long enough. Let the honey, butter, soy sauce, and garlic reduce slightly so it clings to the chicken.


honey butter garlic chicken over white rice with a spoon pouring extra sauce on top

Honey Butter Garlic Chicken

4.45 from 1069 votes
Written By: Wendie
Honey butter garlic chicken is easy and loaded with tender bites of chicken in a delicious sauce!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 358

Ingredients
  

  • 1-1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 3-4 tablespoons Honey
  • 1- 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Fresh chopped parsley or green onions for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cut chicken thighs into small bite sized pieces.
  • Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet (cast iron works best) on high heat.
  • Add the chicken to the skillet, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let cook until it starts to change from pink to white and get some golden edges about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add the remaining butter, garlic, vinegar and honey. Stir until chicken is coated.
  • Simmer sauce and chicken to caramelize the outside about another 2-3 minutes.
  • Top with fresh chopped parsley or green onions. Serve chicken over rice or mashed potatoes.

Video

Notes

This dish comes together fast so you need to have everything chopped, measured and ready to go.
If you use chicken breasts instead of thighs just make sure you adjust the cooking time as chicken breasts will dry out if cooked too long.
To get the best color you need to have a super hot pan.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ServingsCalories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 33gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 809mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13g
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course Entrees
Cuisine American
4.45 from 1069 votes (1,059 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




135 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I found this recipe a few weeks ago and have made it twice. I substituted apple cider vinegar with rice vinegar and recipe turned out amazing. My picky husband loved it too!!

  2. 5 stars
    Made this on Tuesday, and my family requested a repeat tonight (Friday). Love the simplicity and the speed with which the dish went from preparation to serving. Thank you!

  3. You went right past the full recipe to write this comment. There is a jump to recipe button at the top to take you to the recipe at the bottom of the post.