Name: Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each); Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup flour; 4 tablespoons butter, divided; 3-4 cloves garlic, minced; 4 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional); Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (optional)

If you’re craving something sweet, savory, and downright comforting, you’ve got to try this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together fast — perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress without the stress.

honey garlic chicken - Several pieces of cooked chicken fillets are in a pan, covered by a shiny brown sauce that looks thick and smooth. The chicken is golden brown and tender with small green onion pieces scattered on top. The sauce pools around the chicken, creating a glossy layer that highlights the texture of the meat underneath. The pan shows some browning marks from cooking. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is my go-to because it hits all the right flavor notes without demanding hours in the kitchen. I’ve made it countless times, and it never disappoints. Simple ingredients transform into an absolutely delicious meal that feels special.

Quick and Easy: You’ll have dinner ready in about 15 minutes—no long marinating or fancy prep.
Flavor Explosion: The combo of honey, garlic, and butter creates this irresistible glaze that’s rich but balanced.
Flexible Ingredients: Pantry staples like soy sauce and apple cider vinegar lift the dish and keep it accessible.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters tend to love the mild sweetness with savory undertones.

honey garlic chicken - The dish shows one thick layer of light golden brown cooked chicken with a shiny, dark brown sauce on top, garnished with thin slices of green onion. The chicken sits on a bed of white rice, which is mixed with bits of the same sauce giving some parts a light brown tint. On the side, there is a small bunch of bright green, fresh green beans. Everything is arranged on a white plate over a white marbled surface, with a silver fork visible at the edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a special role in this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe, balancing richness, sweetness, and tang. When you gather your ingredients, aim for fresh garlic and quality butter—the flavor difference is definitely worth it.

honey garlic chicken - Flat lay of four raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, several cloves of fresh garlic showing their papery white skin and creamy interiors, a small jar of golden honey glistening under the light, bright green fresh parsley leaves with delicate textures, a clear glass bottle of amber soy sauce reflecting light, a halved lemon with vibrant yellow flesh and juicy texture, and a small mound of fine, white all-purpose flour scattered lightly, arranged naturally with some herbs overlapping the chicken pieces, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cutting them to an even thickness helps the chicken cook uniformly and stay juicy.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the natural chicken flavor.
Flour: Creates a light crust that adds texture and helps thicken the sauce slightly.
Butter: The base for that luscious, rich sauce—using unsalted butter lets you control salt levels.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic delivers pungent aroma and depth—don’t skimp here!
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken beautifully.
Soy sauce: Brings umami and saltiness that balances the honey’s sweetness.
Apple cider vinegar: A touch of acidity brightens and lifts the sauce so it’s never too heavy.
Chicken broth (optional): Makes the sauce saucier if you want more for dipping or drizzling.
Fresh parsley or green onions: Adds a fresh pop of color and mild herbal note when finishing the dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe a bit depending on my mood or pantry stash. Feel free to customize—it’s forgiving and shines in so many variations!

Add some heat: I sometimes sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne to give the sauce a gentle kick. It adds lovely complexity without overpowering.
Brighten it up: A squeeze of lemon or lime right before serving adds a fresh zing that cuts through the richness.
Make it saucier: Adding that optional chicken broth really amps up the sauce volume if you like dipping with crusty bread.
Try using chicken thighs: For juicier, slightly fattier meat, thighs can be a fantastic swap.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

I like to whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar right at the start. It’s quick and gives the sauce time to marry while I prep the chicken. The balance of sweet, salty, and tangy is what makes this recipe sing.

Step 2: Pound and Season Your Chicken

Use a meat mallet or something sturdy to gently pound your chicken breasts to about half an inch thick. This helps them cook evenly so you get that perfect juicy center without drying out. After that, season generously with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess. The flour forms a light crust once cooked and helps thicken your sauce slightly.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat a skillet over medium-high and melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken, placing them smooth side down first. Let them sizzle untouched for 4-5 minutes until golden and caramelized—this is where so much flavor develops. Flip and cook the other side for 1-2 more minutes; don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked yet, we’ll finish it in the sauce.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Turn the heat down to medium, add the last tablespoon of butter, and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté just about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it brown or burn or it will get bitter. Pour in your prepared sauce mixture and let it simmer away, stirring gently. If you want it saucier, this is the moment to stir in the chicken broth. Let it thicken slightly as the chicken finishes cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temp of 165ºF to ensure safety without drying it out.

Step 5: Coat and Serve

Flip the chicken to coat the other side in that glossy sauce before plating. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a bit of color and fresh pop. Serve it up immediately while everything is warm and saucy!

Top Tip

After making this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe many times, I’ve discovered a few tricks to get it just right every time. These simple tips helped transform my weeknight dinners from good to unforgettable.

Even Thickness Matters: Pounding the chicken to an even half-inch thickness ensures it cooks evenly and stays juicy—not dry or rubbery.
Don’t Rush the Sear: Let the chicken sit undisturbed to form that beautiful caramelized crust which adds texture and deep flavor.
Watch Your Garlic: Garlic goes from fragrant to burnt in seconds. Add it at medium heat and keep an eye to avoid bitterness in your sauce.
Check Internal Temperature: I rely on a meat thermometer for perfect doneness — chicken should hit 165ºF for safety but still remain tender and juicy.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

honey garlic chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top this chicken with a handful of fresh chopped parsley—it brightens up the buttery sauce visually and flavor-wise. Sometimes, I swap in sliced green onions for a bit of crunch and mild onion flavor. Both are easy and lovely finishes.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs beautifully with simple sides like garlic mashed potatoes or fluffy steamed rice to soak up every bit of that honey garlic butter sauce. For veggies, steamed broccoli or sautéed green beans add freshness and balance to the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this dish over a bed of creamy polenta with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh thyme. It elevates the meal with minimal extra effort—plus, the golden polenta looks stunning alongside that pretty glaze.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken keeps wonderfully moist, and the sauce stays saucy and delicious. I recommend reheating gently to avoid drying out the meat.

Freezing

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe freezes well too. I portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it reheats nearly as good as fresh. Just be sure to consume within 2 months for the best flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low-medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. This method keeps the chicken tender and prevents the sauce from sticking or drying out like the microwave can.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully here. They’re juicier and have a richer flavor. Just be sure to adjust cooking time as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through depending on thickness.

How do I get the sauce to thicken in this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe?

If you want a thicker sauce, simmer the sauce on medium heat uncovered to reduce and concentrate flavors. The flour dredged on the chicken also helps slightly thicken the sauce. Adding chicken broth will loosen it, so skip it if you want thickest glaze.

Can I make this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for dredging. Cornstarch will also help thicken the sauce nicely. Confirm soy sauce is gluten-free or use tamari instead.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover Honey Garlic Butter Chicken?

The best way is reheating gently in a skillet over low to medium heat. Adding a splash of water or broth keeps the sauce loose and the chicken moist. Microwaving can dry it out quickly if you’re not careful.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for good reason—it’s fast, flavorful, and feels like a little hug on a plate. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, it’s guaranteed to bring happy smiles and a little extra kitchen joy. Give it a try soon, and don’t forget to savor every buttery, garlicky bite!