Craving a delicious and easy meal? Look no further than Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken! This recipe transforms boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) into a sticky, flavorful masterpiece with minimal ingredients and prep time. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner option.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken:
- Flavorful Fusion: The sweet and savory combination of honey, garlic, and soy sauce creates a delicious glaze that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Simple & Speedy: With minimal ingredients and a quick cooking time, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights.
- Versatile Canvas: Feel free to customize the flavor profile by adding a touch of ginger, red pepper flakes, or your favorite herbs.
- Family-Friendly: This dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for both adults and kids.
Crafting Your Honey Garlic Masterpiece:
- Perfectly Glazed Chicken: The key to this dish is the sticky, flavorful glaze made with honey, garlic, and soy sauce.
- Tender Chicken Option: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs can be used, depending on your preference. Chicken breasts cook faster, while thighs offer a slightly richer flavor.
Ingredients:
- For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- For the Honey Garlic Glaze:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for a deeper sweetness)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry)
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (optional, for a touch of heat)
Instructions:
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Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
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Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or cooking spray in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts or thighs and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
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Creating the Glaze: In the same skillet (use a whisk to deglaze any browned bits), combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar (if using), garlic, and Sriracha (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional minute, until the glaze thickens and becomes glossy.
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Glaze the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and coat it evenly with the sticky honey garlic glaze. You can also spoon the glaze over the chicken a few times for extra flavor.
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Serve and Enjoy: Plate your Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken with your favorite sides, such as steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.
Tips:
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Thicken the glaze further by simmering for an additional minute or two.
- For a crispy skin option, you can use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Sear the skin side down until golden brown and crispy before flipping and continuing with the recipe.
- Feel free to experiment with different vegetables to stir-fry along with the chicken in step 2.
Final Thoughts:
Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken is a fuss-free recipe that delivers on flavor. With its sweet and savory glaze and tender chicken, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have you coming back for seconds. So next time you’re short on time but craving a delicious meal, give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
