Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken is a recipe blending sweet and savory flavors, often associated with Asian-inspired cuisine. It uses chicken pieces coated in a sauce of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and sometimes ginger, creating a balance of caramelized sweetness and aromatic depth. The combination reflects global adaptations of sweet-sour cooking traditions.

The technique typically begins with searing or lightly frying the chicken until browned, then simmering it in the sauce to glaze and thicken. Some variations use cornstarch for crispness or baking for even cooking. The result is tender meat coated in a glossy reduction that highlights contrasting flavors.

MeatChickenAsian

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Total Time: 30 min

Yield: 4 servings

A plate of honey garlic chicken with sauce.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless chicken thighs (approx. 20 oz.)
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • ¼ medium onion or 1 large shallot, finely chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1.
    Season chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. 2.
    Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. 3.
    Place chicken thighs face down in the skillet and brown for 4-5 minutes.
  4. 4.
    Flip the chicken and cook it until it is almost done, about 6-8 minutes.
  5. 5.
    Remove the chicken and set aside.
  6. 6.
    Add the onions or shallots and garlic to the skillet and sauté until the aromatics are soft.
  7. 7.
    Add the soy sauce and honey to the skillet and add garlic powder and onion powder to taste.
  8. 8.
    Stir and scrape the pan until the sauce is combined.
  9. 9.
    Return the chicken thighs to the pan and baste with the sauce.
  10. 10.
    Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes. Flip after 5 minutes and baste.
  11. 11.
    Stir sauce and baste chicken until the chicken thighs are done and the juice runs clear with an internal temperature of 165°F.
  12. 12.
    Transfer to a serving plate and pour remaining sauce over the chicken thighs.