Chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared so many delicious ways. From crispy fried chicken, to juicy grilled chicken, to comforting chicken noodle soup, it’s a staple ingredient in many home kitchens. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and flavorful way to prepare chicken for dinner, then this honey glazed chicken recipe is just what you need. With its sweet and savory glaze coating each tender, juicy piece of chicken, it makes for a meal the whole family will love.
Overview of the Recipe
This recipe involves baking chicken breasts in an incredible glaze made from garlic, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and black pepper. The prep time is only 10 minutes, and the total cook time is about 20 minutes, making it a fast weeknight dinner option. The end result is chicken that is caramelized and lightly crispy on the outside, with an interior that is perfectly cooked and super moist thanks to that flavor-packed glaze.
You just season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, quickly sear them in a skillet to get a nice brown exterior, then finish cooking them nestled in the glaze so they become infused with sweet and savory flavor in every bite. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions on top adds some crunch and freshness to balance out the rich, sticky glaze.
Benefits of Honey Glazed Chicken
There are so many things to love about this honey glazed chicken. First, it requires minimal ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. Store cupboard staples like honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices are all you need to whip up the flavorful glaze. Garlic and olive oil boost the flavor even further with very little effort.
Another great benefit is how quick and easy this recipe comes together. With just 20 minutes of active cooking time, it makes the perfect fast dinner even on your busiest weeknights. The hands-on preparation is also simple enough for even novice cooks.
In addition to being fast, easy, and flavorful, this recipe is also relatively healthy as far as chicken dinners go. Chicken breast is a lean, protein-packed choice. By baking it instead of frying, you avoid excess oil and calories from crusts or heavy batters. The sweet and sticky glaze adds plenty of flavor without weighing it down with unnecessary fat and calories.
The recipe is extremely versatile. You can double or triple it easily to feed a crowd for a dinner party. And the glaze would be delicious on any type of poultry or meat, so you can get creative and use it on pork chops, turkey, tofu, shrimp, and more. Serve this chicken with your favorite sides like rice, veggies, or a fresh salad for a well-rounded, healthy meal.
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
Cooking up a batch of honey glazed chicken is simple with these easy instructions:
Prep the Chicken
- Start by gathering 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and patting them dry with paper towels. Make sure there is no visible excess fat or cartilage.
- Liberally season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper. The salt enhances the chicken’s flavor and the black pepper provides a little bite to offset the sweetness of the glaze.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- When the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the bottoms are nicely browned.
- Flip each chicken breast and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side.
- Remove the browned chicken breasts from the pan and set aside on a clean plate.
Make the Glaze
- In the hot skillet you cooked the chicken in, add 3 minced garlic cloves.
- Saute the garlic for about 30 seconds just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Next add 1/2 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper.
- Whisk well to dissolve the honey and incorporate all the ingredients.
- Let the glaze simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly.
Glaze the Chicken
- Nestle the browned chicken breasts back into the pan along with any accumulated juices.
- Spoon the glaze generously over the top of each chicken breast until fully coated.
- Allow the chicken to simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the glaze has caramelized and the chicken is cooked through.
- Flip halfway through to ensure even coverage of glaze. The chicken is finished when internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Serve and Enjoy
- Once chicken is cooked, remove the skillet from heat.
- For added garnish, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
- Serve the honey glazed chicken hot over a bed of jasmine rice or your favorite grains. Pair it with steamed broccoli or a crisp salad for a balanced meal.
- Enjoy this sweet and savory chicken! Leftovers will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
Tips and Modifications
This honey glazed chicken is delicious as-is, but you can tweak it to your tastes:
- Play with different glaze flavors. Orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and red wine vinegar all work.
- For spicy chicken, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the glaze.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts if you prefer a richer, more tender cut of meat.
- Try the glaze on pork chops, shrimp, tofu, turkey cutlets, or meatballs.
- Grill or broil the chicken instead of pan-frying if you want charred exterior.
- For crispy skin, coat bone-in chicken pieces with glaze then bake until lacquered.
- Double the batch to feed a crowd! This also freezes well for quick meals later.
No matter how you choose to make it, this honey glazed chicken is guaranteed to be a mouthwatering addition to your dinner table. The glistening glaze over tender, juicy chicken is impressive enough to serve to guests but easy enough for a casual family meal. Give this recipe a try soon for some serious weeknight dinner inspiration!
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Honey Glazed Chicken
This recipe combines the sweetness of honey with a hint of garlic and soy sauce, giving you a deliciously glazed chicken that’s perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce (you can use low sodium)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional: sesame seeds and chopped spring onions for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Glaze:
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Lower the heat to medium and add the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and simmer the mixture for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Glaze the Chicken:
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the glaze over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the glaze.
Serve:
Remove the skillet from the heat. If desired, garnish the chicken with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions.
Serve the honey glazed chicken hot with your choice of sides, such as steamed rice, vegetables, or a salad.
Notes
For an extra kick, you can add a pinch of chili flakes to the glaze.
If you prefer chicken thighs over breasts, you can easily substitute them in this recipe. Adjust cooking times accordingly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
