• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home About Contact

The Cooking Jar

Cooking made easy

  • Recipe Index
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Casseroles
    • Dips and Sauces
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick and Easy
    • Sides and Salads
    • Soups and Stews
  • Ingredient
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pasta
    • Seafood
  • Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Oven
    • Sheet Pan
    • Slow Cooker
    • Stovetop
Home About Contact
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Casseroles
  • Dips
  • Main Dishes
  • Quick and Easy
  • Sides
  • Soups
Home » Course » Quick and Easy

Quick and Easy

Honey Garlic Chicken

Published: February 12, 2016   |   Updated: July 24, 2022   |   114 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.

4.9 from 39 reviews
Pin39K
Share
Email
39K Shares

Five ingredients and 20 minutes are all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken with the much-loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.

Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken skillet. With the much loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.

Today we’re making some delicious, honey garlic chicken. With the same, much-loved flavor profile of honey garlic shrimp and honey garlic salmon, we get to enjoy everyone’s favorite sauce with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. It’s an addictive sauce with a sticky, sweet and savory glaze that works great with almost every kind of protein.

It’s simple to cook, quick and easy, but so rewarding. And it’s 20-25 minutes (depending on the thickness of your chicken) from start to finish without sacrificing any flavor. If you’re in the mood for something with even more flavor, try this honey garlic butter chicken recipe which uses this recipe as a base.

Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken skillet. With the much loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.

Don’t worry about all the shiny stuff on the pan that looks like oil. It’s actually the sauce. Loads and loads of sauce! This is the stuff that’ll give your chicken that wonderful glaze. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because I feel they are juicier but if you prefer chicken breasts, this will work too.

It’s a great answer for quick weeknight dinners. Serve with a side of rice or mashed potatoes with some greens on the side like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus. There are plenty of ways to enjoy this. Let’s start cooking!

How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken (1 Min Video)

What You Need For Honey Garlic Chicken

This one is SO simple and I wasn’t lying when I said you only need five ingredients. You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Both regular soy sauce and low sodium soy sauce will work.

And if you don’t have fresh garlic and ginger on hand, feel free to substitute with garlic powder and powdered ginger. Ginger gives the sauce a warm flavor but if you’re not a fan, you can absolutely leave it out too. It will not break the recipe. And if you want to build on this recipe for more flavor, try adding in a splash of lime juice or a few dashes of red pepper flakes.

Ingredients to make honey garlic chicken in prep bowls.

HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN RECIPE TIPS

One pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs turned out to be about four thighs for me. So if you sub with chicken breasts, go for one pound’s worth. Cut the thighs in half to make them cook quicker and cook them in two batches so you’re not overcrowding the pan. This also makes sure the chicken sears properly instead of steaming.

If your breasts are slightly on the thicker side, it might be worth it to cut it up lengthwise as well, to cut that thickness in half so it’ll cook faster and more evenly. Also make sure the thighs/breasts are dry before we cook them so they brown up nicer (and so you don’t get attacked with angry, spitting oil).

Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken skillet. With the much loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.

Start heating up the pan over medium-high heat in a 10″ skillet. I used about two tablespoons of oil, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Since there isn’t any skin on the chicken to render fat, we’ll be relying solely on the oil you add to the pan to sear them.

It should take about 3-4 minutes to sear and cook each side, depending on the size of each chicken piece. The smaller pieces will end up crispier than the bigger ones. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the pan earlier if needed. After the first side of the chicken is done, reduce the heat to medium to stop the pan from smoking before flipping the chicken over. You will be cooking from medium to medium-low heat from here on out.

Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken skillet. With the much loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.

Even though we patted the chicken dry with paper towels earlier, there might still be some angry spitting from the oil. So it’s always worth it to invest in a splatter guard. And wear an apron! Once it’s all cooked, drain the chicken on some paper towels and remove any excess oil from the pan, leaving just a little to saute the aromatics. Saute the garlic and ginger until fragrant, add the chicken back to the pan, and pour in the honey and soy sauce mixture.

TIP: Make sure to keep the heat on medium-low as boiling the sauce too fast will burn and harden it into a sticky mess. And even though sticky sauce sounds great, burning it changes the sweetness of the honey to bitterness. It’s not too tasty.

Flip the chicken in the sauce to coat both sides and once the sauce has reduced and we’re done. That’s it! Go enjoy your glazed chicken and brag about how you’re a cooking expert. There’s no need to tell anyone it was only five ingredients! 😉

Customize It!

  • Add more flavor – Add some heat with a few dashes of red pepper flakes. You can cut the sweetness of the sauce with some apple cider vinegar or a drizzle of lime juice. For a smoky flavor, do a finishing drizzle with sesame oil or sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

MORE HONEY GARLIC RECIPES TO TRY

  • Honey Garlic Butter Chicken
  • Honey Garlic Shrimp
  • Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Honey Garlic Salmon
  • Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

Did you make this recipe? Rate it!

♡ If you liked this recipe, giving it a star rating ★★★★★ in the comments below really helps! For more recipes, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and  Pinterest.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Honey garlic chicken in a cast iron pan.

Honey Garlic Chicken


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 39 reviews

  • Author: The Cooking Jar
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Five ingredients and 20 minutes are all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken with the much-loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs/breasts
  • 2 medium cloves garlic / 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Fresh parsley / green onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the honey and soy sauce and set aside.
  2. Over medium-high heat in a 10″ skillet, pan-sear the chicken in some oil. Reduce heat to medium after searing the first side.
  3. Cook them on both sides in batches until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the center is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 165°F. Drain chicken on paper towels and remove most of the oil from the pan.
  4. Add garlic and ginger (optional) and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chicken back into the pan.
  5. Pour in the honey and soy sauce mixture and bring to a gentle boil over medium-low heat until the sauce is reduced. Flip the chicken to coat in the sauce fully.
  6. Dish and serve hot.
  7. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Add more flavor – Add some heat with a few dashes of red pepper flakes. You can cut the sweetness of the sauce with some apple cider vinegar or a drizzle of lime juice. For a smoky flavor, do a finishing drizzle with sesame oil or sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
  • Scroll up to RECIPE TIPS for more useful tips, suggestions and ingredient substitutions.
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know how you liked it, what substitutions you made, or what you paired it with in the comments below. If you enjoyed it, help me out with a  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating!

Leave A Review

posted in: Chicken, Main Dishes, Popular Recipes, Quick and Easy, Stovetop

Previous
Loaded Mashed Potato Balls
Next
Meatball Pasta Bake

Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Share your thoughts and rate the recipe!
    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Zipporah Cazarez says

    February 2, 2025

    Very delicious

    Reply
  2. Dana says

    November 9, 2023

    This was delicious, fast, and cheap. Served this with rice. I will definitely be making this again.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      November 13, 2023

      That’s what I like hearing! Cheap, easy, approachable and quick. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dana and hope you enjoy it as much the next time you make it.

      Reply
  3. Kristen says

    November 1, 2023

    This was soooooo good! Instead of using the boneless skinless thighs, I had whole thighs, cut the bone out, left the skin on. I pan fried the chicken with salt and pepper, then did the sauce. I went a little heavier on the ginger and garlic (but my household likes strong flavors). Served it on rice, poured the sauce on top, and garnished with sesame seeds, green onion, and Sriracha. Next time I’m definitely gonna add sesame sauce. I may also do a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, but idk. It was really good as is.

    This is totally going into regular rotation. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      November 13, 2023

      You’re making me hungry! I bet that skin tasted so good with the caramelized sauce on it. I’m glad you were able to customize it to your tastes and thanks for sharing them. Sesame oil will definitely amp the flavor up a bit as a finisher – I love using it on many things.

      Reply
  4. Julie Schulz says

    June 2, 2023

    This was quick, easy and delicious. I used skin-on chicken thighs and since this was my first time with the recipe, followed it exactly … except I used ground ginger, not fresh. This recipe is definitely a keeper and would even be great for a casual dinner get together.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      June 5, 2023

      Yum! I love chicken thighs – they are so juicy. I’m hoping those skins crisped up nicely too after searing.

      Reply
    • Virginia McCoy says

      September 2, 2023

      This recipe Rocked! It is soooo delicious!!! I used low salt soy sauce and used some red pepper flakes and a little lime juice. I made 1/2 more of the honey & soy sauce and mixed it with the rice I served with it. I used same skillet and served rice on bottom and put chicken on top and poured the juices on top of chicken! This was so yummy! Everyone loved it and I’m usually critical with myself when I try new recipes! Honestly, I thought it was so easy and I thought I was eating in an upscale restaurant tonight! Lol. Try it! It’s my favorite Now!

      Reply
      • The Cooking Jar says

        September 21, 2023

        Wow, that sounds amazing! I’m glad the ‘add more flavor’ option worked out so well for you. Making more of that sauce and letting it soak in the rice is a great way to enjoy the meal. Now I’m hungry!

        Reply
  5. Maryann says

    March 28, 2023

    So delicious! Going to try a little heat!

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      April 4, 2023

      So glad you liked it! Enjoy the chicken the next time you make it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Maddy says

    October 20, 2021

    I loved your receipe and tried today exactly How you mentioned. Its was super tasty. I love your receipes as they are Quick and simple . Waiting for more surely.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      October 21, 2021

      I’m so happy you like it so much and thank you for your sweet comment. Let me know if you try anything else!

      Reply
  7. Kristen Lozen says

    March 25, 2021

    Can you use powdered garlic and ginger? How much?

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      March 25, 2021

      Absolutely. I have substituted minced garlic many times for garlic powder in this recipe. It’s much easier than using cloves. I would do 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/8 teaspoon powdered ginger (it’s pretty potent).

      I’m going to add these substitutes to the recipe card.

      Reply
  8. ashley says

    June 18, 2020

    do you have to use ginger?

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      June 19, 2020

      No, you can leave it out if you don’t like the taste!

      Reply
  9. Ine says

    May 17, 2020

    Omg, this was super delicious! My family loved it, including my husband amd daughter which are food critics. I added just a hint of pink Himalayan salt for a bit more flavor. Starting v with low sodium soy sauce was perfect! Thank u for sharing.

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      March 25, 2021

      You’re very welcome, Ine! Thank you for trying it out and I’m glad it passed the food critic test 😉 Low sodium soy sauce is a great way to make this healthier. I’ve gone this route many times.

      Reply
  10. Anoj says

    May 5, 2020

    It came out absolutely delicious. Thanks for the recipe. Kids went crazy over it. We actually had it twice, last night and a few nights ago…. I used an electric oven and the result was the same. Tks again for sharing. ??

    Reply
    • The Cooking Jar says

      March 25, 2021

      Thanks for trying it out! Great to know it’s kid-approved. You sure can bake this in the oven as well, that’s where a cast iron skillet comes in very handy. I’m a big fan of the sauce personally. We recently have been using it a lot in air-fryer salmon while I try to lose this pandemic weight!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Grilled shrimp on plate.
Farah - Author of The Cooking Jar.

Here at The Cooking Jar you'll find recipes that focus on practical everyday food using everyday ingredients. Each recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours. Happy cooking!

More About Me
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.

FREE eCookbook!

Subscribe to the newsletter + get a free copy of our most popular recipes!

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm and activate your subscription.

Kitchen Essentials - The Basics.

Warm up with these winter favorites!

  • A close up photo of slow cooker chicken and dumplings in a crockpot.
    Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
  • Sour cream beef noodle casserole in a white casserole dish.
    Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
  • A generous ladle of white chicken chili with shredded chicken, beans, corn and chopped cilantro.
    White Chicken Chili
  • Baked Parmesan crusted chicken on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken
  • Spinach and artichoke ravioli bake in a white casserole dish.
    Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli Bake
  • Creamy sausage pasta in a stainless steel skillet.
    Creamy Sausage Pasta
  • Featured On
  • Buzzfeed Logo.
  • the kitchn Logo.
  • delish Logo.
  • The Huffington Post Logo.
  • CountryLiving Logo.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.

FREE eCookbook!

Subscribe to the newsletter + get a free copy of our most popular recipes!

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm and activate your subscription.

The Cooking Jar Logo

Recipes

  • Appetizers
  • Beef
  • Breakfast
  • Chicken
  • Casseroles
  • Dips and Sauces
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta
  • Seafood
  • Sides and Salads
  • Slow Cooker
  • Soups and Stews
©2025, The Cooking Jar. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Nutrition Disclaimer
Back To Top
×
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.
The Cooking Jar eBook - Readers Favorite Recipes.

FREE eCookbook!

Subscribe to the newsletter + get a free copy of our most popular recipes!

Thank you!

Check your email to confirm and activate your subscription.

Close up shots of honey garlic chicken skillet on a cast iron pan.
Honey garlic chicken in a cast iron pan.
Close up shot of glazed honey garlic chicken breasts on a cast iron skillet.
Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to enjoy this honey garlic chicken skillet. With the much loved sauce that won over kitchens everywhere.
Close up shot of glazed honey garlic chicken breasts on a cast iron skillet.
39K Shares
Pin39K
Share
Email