Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Breast recipe delivers a deliciously sweet and savory dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. Tender chicken breasts are pan-fried to golden perfection, coated in a rich honey garlic sauce made with garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and honey, making for a perfect weeknight meal that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 500g / 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless (2 pieces)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup flour
Sauce and Cooking
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter (or 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white or other clear vinegar)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce, light or all purpose
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4 thin steaks. Season each side of the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Coat with Flour: Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, coating thoroughly, then shake off any excess flour to avoid clumping.
- Melt Butter: Heat most of the unsalted butter (reserve about 1 teaspoon) in a large skillet over high heat until melted and hot, preparing the pan for cooking the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Place the floured chicken pieces into the hot skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 1 minute to get a nice sear.
- Reduce Heat: Lower the skillet’s heat slightly to medium-high to prevent burning while finishing the sauce.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Create some space in the skillet, add the minced garlic, and top it with the reserved teaspoon of butter. Stir briefly as the butter melts and the garlic releases its aroma without burning.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Stir or gently shake the pan to combine all the ingredients well. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Simmer Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 1 minute or until it slightly thickens, coating the chicken nicely.
- Coat Chicken in Sauce: Turn the chicken pieces in the skillet to ensure they are fully coated with the honey garlic sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small amount of water and stir to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent overcooking. Plate the chicken and drizzle any remaining sauce over the top for extra flavor.
Notes
- Flour helps create a crispy exterior and thickens the sauce slightly.
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey for a different sweetness profile.
- Using apple cider vinegar adds a gentle tang, but white vinegar works well too.
- Reserved butter added with garlic helps infuse the sauce with rich flavor.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding water if it becomes too thick during simmering.
