Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts make dinner time a breeze with their perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Tender chicken coated in a glossy sauce brings restaurant-quality taste straight to your kitchen table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Thickening and Cooking Agents:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to create your sauce base.
- Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in a separate small bowl to create a smooth slurry. Set aside for later thickening.
- Butterfly or pound your chicken breasts to an even ¾-inch thickness. Use paper towels to completely dry the meat’s surface.
- Season chicken with ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper on both sides, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2 minutes.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts into hot skillet. Sear for 3-5 minutes until golden brown, developing a nice caramelized exterior.
- Flip chicken and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook an additional 5-7 minutes until the meat reaches about 75% doneness.
- Pour prepared honey garlic sauce over chicken in the skillet. Allow sauce to gently simmer around the meat.
- Quickly re-whisk your cornstarch slurry and slowly incorporate into simmering sauce. Stir constantly to prevent lumps and ensure smooth thickening.
- Continue cooking 2-4 minutes, frequently turning chicken to coat evenly. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove skillet from heat. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5-10 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Slice chicken against the grain. Drizzle remaining glaze over meat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts that are similar in size and thickness to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature, which guarantees safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying out.
- For a low-carb version, swap honey with a sugar-free sweetener and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to reduce carbohydrate content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg