Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Recipe

Honey butter garlic chicken on a plate of white rice and broccoli.

It’s one of those recipes that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. The chicken pieces are smothered in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce that is absolutely delicious! Once you try it, you’ll see why it quickly becomes a go-to favorite for busy weeknights like my Sweet and Spicy Chicken Stir Fry!

What Readers Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My husband and picky kids loved it! So flavorful and easy to make. Great any time of year. Thank you so much!

– Renee

Quick Look: Honey Butter Garlic Chicken

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 8 minutes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 4
📊 Calories: ~358 kcal per serving
🥣 Ingredients: chicken, butter, garlic, honey, apple cider vinegar.
⭐ Difficulty: Easy, great for a quick weeknight meal.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy for busy nights. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple steps—perfect when you need dinner on the table fast.

Packed with sweet, buttery garlic flavor, the rich sauce coats every bite of tender chicken for a flavor that’s seriously hard to resist.

Made with simple pantry staples. No complicated ingredients—just everyday items you likely already have on hand.

For even more quick recipe options, try my Shrimp Scampi or my Beef Stir Fry!

Ingredients Needed

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.

How to make Honey Butter garlic Chicken

Chicken thighs being cut up into pieces. And sauteed in a 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.

honey butter chicken bites cooked in a skillet with garlic and honey.

Step 3- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the chicken is coated.
Step 4- Simmer the honey garlic sauce and chicken to caramelize.

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, , 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.

Honey butter garlic chicken on top of mashed potatoes with broccoli.

Honey Butter Garlic Chicken 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 my Boursin Cheese Mashed Potatoes; the honey butter sauce is fantastic over both. My Oven-roasted Asparagus or Roasted Broccoli Florets are a delicious side dish for this chicken.

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.