Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast is a quick and easy dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and simmered in a luscious honey garlic sauce. The chicken is lightly dusted with flour to create a crispy crust that beautifully clings to the sweet and savory sauce, making every bite irresistible. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner, this recipe comes together in just 12 minutes and can easily be adapted for other proteins.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 500g / 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless (2 pieces)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup flour
Sauce and Cooking
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter (or 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white or other clear vinegar)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce, light or all purpose
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 thinner, steak-like pieces. Season both sides with salt and pepper evenly.
- Coat with Flour: Place the flour in a shallow dish and dredge each piece of chicken, shaking off any excess to ensure an even but light coating.
- Heat Butter: In a large skillet over high heat, melt most of the butter, reserving about 1 teaspoon for later use.
- Sear Chicken: Add the floured chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then flip and cook for an additional 1 minute on the other side.
- Lower Heat and Add Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-high. Push chicken slightly to create space in the pan, add the minced garlic and the reserved butter. Stir quickly once the butter melts to release the garlic aroma without burning.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Stir or gently shake the pan to combine all the ingredients, bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce simmer for about 1 minute, or until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Coat Chicken: Turn the chicken pieces in the sauce to coat them well. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water and mix to loosen it.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat immediately, transfer the chicken to serving plates, and drizzle any remaining sauce over the top for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Dusting the chicken with flour before cooking helps create a golden crust that locks in moisture and gives the sauce something to cling to.
- This recipe can be easily adapted to other proteins such as pork chops, shrimp, or firm fish—simply adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different but equally delicious sweetness.
- Light soy sauce keeps the sauce bright, but regular or dark soy sauce can also be used for a deeper flavor.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Mains
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Western
