Here’s an easy and tasty “One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken” recipe perfect for any home cook. This dish blends the luscious sweetness of honey with the robust fragrance of garlic, all combined in a single pan for a straightforward yet delightful dining experience.

It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a meal that’s both comforting and hassle-free to prepare. The simplicity of using just one pan means less cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking to impress guests with your culinary skills without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce (use low sodium if preferred)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the sauce)
1/4 cup water

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions for Making One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken

Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Add the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pan with the honey garlic sauce. Increase the heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it thoroughly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the sauce.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with chopped parsley and sesame seeds if using. Serve the honey garlic chicken hot, ideally with a side of rice or vegetables.

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

Choose the Right Chicken: Opt for chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking. If the breasts are particularly thick, you might consider pounding them to an even thickness or slicing them horizontally to reduce cooking time and ensure they cook evenly throughout.

Marinate for More Flavor: If time allows, marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, and garlic for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. This step infuses the chicken with deeper flavors and tenderizes it.

Control the Cooking Temperature: Cooking the chicken over medium-high heat allows it to get a good sear on the outside while remaining juicy inside. However, once you add the garlic and the sauce ingredients, lower the heat to medium or medium-low to prevent the garlic from burning and the sauce from evaporating too quickly.

Thicken the Sauce to Your Liking: Adjust the consistency of the sauce by varying the amount of cornstarch and water. Remember, the sauce will thicken further upon cooling, so it’s wise to stop cooking when it’s slightly thinner than your desired consistency.

Rest the Chicken: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking and before slicing. This step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring that every bite is moist and flavorful.

Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the sauce before adding the chicken back into the pan. Depending on your preference, you might want to adjust the sweetness with more honey or the saltiness with additional soy sauce or a pinch of salt.

Serving Suggestions

Rice: Serve the honey garlic chicken over a bed of fluffy white, brown, or jasmine rice. The rice not only complements the flavors but also soaks up the delicious sauce.

Vegetables: Steamed or roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, or green beans make a healthy and colorful side. You can also stir-fry vegetables in the same pan after cooking the chicken to pick up any leftover flavors.

Noodles: For a more substantial meal, serve the chicken over cooked noodles, such as soba, udon, or spaghetti. Toss the noodles in some of the honey garlic sauce for extra flavor.

Salad: For a lighter option, pair the chicken with a fresh green salad dressed with a vinaigrette that complements the sweet and savory elements of the dish.

Bread: A crusty loaf of bread can be a great addition to the meal, perfect for soaking up any remaining sauce on the plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, chicken thighs can be a juicier and more flavorful alternative to breasts. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly due to differences in fat content and size.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free? Substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative to make this dish gluten-free. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little water or chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much upon cooling.

Can I freeze honey garlic chicken? This dish freezes well. Cool the chicken and sauce completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

How can I add more spice to this dish? For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or mince a small chili pepper and sauté it with the garlic.

What can I do if my sauce isn’t thickening? If your sauce isn’t thickening to your liking, you can mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the sauce. Increase the heat slightly and allow the sauce to simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.

One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken

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Here's an easy and tasty "One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken" recipe perfect for any home cook. This dish blends the luscious sweetness of honey with the robust fragrance of garlic.

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce use low sodium if preferred

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch optional, for thickening the sauce
1/4 cup water

Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Sesame seeds optional, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Add the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pan with the honey garlic sauce. Increase the heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it thoroughly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the sauce.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with chopped parsley and sesame seeds if using. Serve the honey garlic chicken hot, ideally with a side of rice or vegetables.