Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts, a perfect blend of sweet and savory that will tantalize your taste buds. This quick and easy recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or special dinners alike.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Honey
- Fresh Garlic
- Soy Sauce or Tamari
- Ginger (Fresh or Ground)
- Vinegar (Rice or Apple Cider)
- Cooking Oil (Olive oil, Avocado oil, or Canola oil)
- Cornstarch (for slurry)
- Water (for slurry)
- Garnish (Sesame Seeds, Green Onions)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Lay your boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a cutting board. If they are very thick or uneven, place them one at a time between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or a rolling pin, gently pound them to an even ¾-inch thickness. This ensures they cook quickly and uniformly. Season both sides lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce (or tamari), minced fresh garlic, grated fresh ginger (if using), and vinegar. Whisk everything together until well combined. Set this aside.
- Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl or cup, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until a smooth slurry forms. This will be used to thicken our sauce later.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet (non-stick or cast iron works well) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken breasts to the hot pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in batches. Sear for 4-6 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. If there are any burnt bits in the pan, you can quickly wipe them out with a paper towel. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these add extra flavor!
- Thicken the Sauce: Give the cornstarch slurry a quick re-whisk, then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce in the skillet, stirring constantly. Continue to stir gently until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, usually within 1-2 minutes. It should become glossy and coat the back of a spoon.
- Return Chicken to the Pan and Coat: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the thickened honey garlic sauce. Turn the chicken over a few times to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated in the delicious, sticky sauce.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. I like to let the chicken rest in the sauce for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh chopped green onions, if desired. Slice the chicken breasts or serve them whole with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: To ensure your Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts turn out perfect every time, avoid overcrowding the pan, pound for even cooking, and check the internal temperature for doneness. Let the chicken rest after cooking for juicier meat, and adjust sweetness and saltiness to your taste.