Easy Honey Garlic Chicken
This Easy Honey Garlic Chicken combines sweet and savory flavors with tender chicken in a luscious honey garlic sauce, making it a delicious and simple dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the sauce)
- 2 tablespoons water (if using cornstarch)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add the chicken pieces, coating them well with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for more flavor.
Preparing the Pan
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is hot enough to sizzle.
Cooking the Chicken
- Carefully add the marinated chicken to the skillet, ensuring that the pieces are not overcrowded. Cook without stirring for about 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Thickening the Sauce (Optional)
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to create a slurry. After the chicken is cooked, push it to one side of the skillet and pour the cornstarch mixture into the other side, stirring quickly until it thickens.
Combining and Coating
- Mix the chicken back into the sauce, tossing to ensure each piece is well coated and cooking for another minute to meld flavors.
Garnishing and Serving
- Remove from heat and serve the honey garlic chicken warm over steamed rice or beside sautéed vegetables, garnished with chopped green onions.
Notes
For best results, use chicken thighs for juiciness, adjust honey sweetness according to taste, and consider making smaller batches for better searing. Store leftovers for up to 3 days.