Delight in tender boneless chicken thighs bathed in a luscious garlic, soy, and honey glaze. This dish brings a wonderful balance of sweet and savory flavors, all achieved with minimal ingredients in under 20 minutes. It is a standout choice among Honey Garlic Recipes for a quick yet satisfying dinner option.

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I love making this Honey Garlic Chicken because it’s a super simple dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste or nutritional value. I always start with 1.5 lb of boneless, skinless chicken thighs seasoned with salt and pepper.

I heat up 2 Tbsp vegetable oil in a pan and toss in 4 cloves of minced garlic until it starts to smell amazing. Then I stir in 1/3 cup soy sauce and 1/3 cup honey, which coats the chicken in a sticky, flavorful glaze.

This dish provides a good protein boost from the chicken and a balance of sugars and sodium from the honey and soy sauce. I think it fits best among honey garlic recipes and simple dinner recipes chicken because it’s quick to make and uses just a few ingredients.

It’s really a quick meal for dinner chicken style, perfect if you want something hearty in just 20 minutes.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it packs a punch of flavor with that mix of soy sauce and honey that makes the sauce super sticky and delicious. I also like how it only needs a few ingredients so I don’t have to run to the store for a bunch of stuff. Another thing is how the chicken turns out really tender everytime and the garlic gives it an amazing aroma. Finally, I enjoy that it comes together in just about 20 minutes which is perfect for a busy weeknight.

I made this sticky, tender chicken thing and it turned out super yummy with a garlicky, soya and honey glaze. Its made with only a handful of ingredients and its really easy to prepare. Plus, it all cooks up in about 20 minutes so you can have a satisfying meal with very little fuss.

Ingredients

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Chicken thighs are high in protein and healthy fats, making your meal filling and tasty.
Garlic adds a bold flavor while aiding digestion and boosting your immune system naturally.
Soy sauce infuses salty, savory notes that brighten the dish and balance the sweetness.
Honey provides natural sweetness and a smooth, rich texture that complements the garlic well.
Vegetable oil helps sear the chicken evenly while carrying the spicy garlic flavor.
Salt and pepper enhance the natural flavors and bring out the best in each bite.
This mix offers a balanced blend of sweet and savory flavors with a bold kick.

Ingredient Quantities

1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup honey

How to Make this

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1. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs to the pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, until they’re nicely browned.

4. Lower the heat a little so the chicken cooks through without burning.

5. Push the chicken to the side of the pan and add the minced garlic, cooking it for about 30 seconds until it smells really good.

6. Pour in the soy sauce and honey, stirring gently so the garlic mixes in well.

7. Let the sauce come to a simmer, stirring occasionally so it thickens and gets sticky.

8. Turn the chicken over in the pan so it gets completely coated in the sauce.

9. Keep cooking everything together for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce is thick and sticky.

10. Remove from heat and serve hot. Enjoy your sticky, tender honey garlic chicken!

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels for drying the chicken
2. A large skillet that fits all the chicken thighs
3. A stove or cooktop to heat the skillet
4. A knife and a cutting board for mincing the garlic
5. Measuring cups and spoons to properly measure out the oil, soy sauce, and honey
6. Tongs or a spatula for flipping and moving the chicken in the pan

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to cook the chicken? A: It usually takes about 7 or 8 minutes on each side over medium-high heat, but keep an eye on it so it doesn't dry out.

Q: Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs? A: Yes you can, although breasts might cook faster and might end up drier if you're not careful.

Q: Do I need to marinate the chicken beforehand? A: Not really, but letting it sit in the honey garlic mix for at least 15 minutes helps boost the flavor alot.

Q: How can I tell when the sauce is ready? A: The sauce should be shiny and thick enough to coat the chicken, usually after simmering it a couple minutes after cookin.

Q: What should I serve with honey garlic chicken? A: Rice, noodles, or steamed veggies work great with this dish, giving you a good balance of flavors.

Q: Can I add chili flakes or other spices for extra heat? A: Sure thing, adding a pinch of chili flakes can give it a nice little kick if you like spicy food.

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Chicken: You could use boneless chicken breasts or turkey cutlets if you’re looking for a leaner option
Vegetable oil: If you dont have it, olive oil or canola oil would work fine
Garlic: In a pinch, garlic powder (about 1/2 tsp per clove) can replace minced garlic
Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos are good swaps if you need a gluten free alternative
Honey: You can substitute that with maple syrup or agave nectar if you’re experimenting with flavors

Pro Tips

1. Make sure u let the pan heat up real good before putting in the chicken, cuz if its not hot enough, the chicken wont get that crispy look and might just stick and burn.

2. Pat the chicken dry real well with paper towels before seasoning it. Wet chicken won’t sear right and you might end up with soggy meat instead of that awesome crispy outside.

3. When u add garlic to the pan, do it after the chicken’s already browned a bit. Garlic can burn super fast and turn bitter if it stays too long in the hot oil, so be careful.

4. Keep the heat on a little lower once you mix in the honey and soy sauce. Let it simmer just slowly enough so the sauce thickens to a sticky glaze, rather than burning up or staying too runny.

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

495

kcal

Equipment: 1. Paper towels for drying the chicken
2. A large skillet that fits all the chicken thighs
3. A stove or cooktop to heat the skillet
4. A knife and a cutting board for mincing the garlic
5. Measuring cups and spoons to properly measure out the oil, soy sauce, and honey
6. Tongs or a spatula for flipping and moving the chicken in the pan

Ingredients

1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup honey

Directions

Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs to the pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, until they're nicely browned.
Lower the heat a little so the chicken cooks through without burning.
Push the chicken to the side of the pan and add the minced garlic, cooking it for about 30 seconds until it smells really good.
Pour in the soy sauce and honey, stirring gently so the garlic mixes in well.
Let the sauce come to a simmer, stirring occasionally so it thickens and gets sticky.
Turn the chicken over in the pan so it gets completely coated in the sauce.
Keep cooking everything together for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce is thick and sticky.
Remove from heat and serve hot. Enjoy your sticky, tender honey garlic chicken!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.