Description
Honey Garlic Chicken will become your new weeknight dinner superhero, bringing together sweet and savory flavors that make your family smile. Tender chicken pieces glazed with a perfect balance of honey and garlic create a simple, satisfying meal that comes together faster than you can order takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce Components:
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Preparation and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- Slice 1.5 lbs chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Thoroughly pat each piece dry with clean paper towels to ensure perfect searing.
- Create sauce by whisking ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons water in a medium bowl. Blend until cornstarch completely dissolves.
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Drop 4 minced garlic cloves into the hot skillet. Stir quickly for 30 seconds until aromatic but not burnt.
- Stream prepared sauce over chicken pieces. Gently toss to ensure complete coating. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring periodically until sauce transforms into a glossy, thick glaze.
- Transfer chicken onto steamed rice. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions across the top for fresh color and crunch.
Notes
- Pat chicken pieces completely dry to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear without steaming.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or wok to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning the chicken or garlic.
- If watching sodium intake, swap regular soy sauce for low-sodium version and reduce added salt elsewhere in the meal.
- For gluten-free preparation, replace soy sauce with tamari and verify cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 515 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg