If you love a dish that’s both simple and bursting with flavor, you’ll adore this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want comfort food that feels a little fancy but comes together fast—perfect for weeknights or impressing guests without breaking a sweat.

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 quickly became one of my absolute favorites because it hits that comforting, slightly sweet, incredibly garlicky flavor profile that’s hard to resist. Plus, it’s downright easy, making dinner stress melt away.

Quick and straightforward: You can get dinner on the table in about 15 minutes without sacrificing flavor.
Flavor-packed sauce: The combo of honey, garlic, butter, and a touch of soy sauce creates this rich, delicious glaze.
Perfectly tender chicken: Pounding the chicken thin and dredging it in flour gives a nice crust and quick cooking time.
Flexible and customizable: Easily tweak it to your taste with heat, zest, or make it saucier with broth.

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

These ingredients work in harmony to create the magic of this dish. The butter and garlic form a luscious base for the sweet, tangy honey sauce, which is balanced by the soy sauce’s umami and the vinegar’s brightness that prevent it from feeling too sweet.

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: Pounding them thin ensures quick, even cooking with a tender bite.
Salt and pepper: Basic yet essential for seasoning that brings out the natural flavors.
Flour: Creates a subtle crispy crust that adds texture and helps thicken the sauce.
Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken perfectly.
Garlic: The star aromatic that infuses the sauce with warmth and depth.
Honey: Provides natural sweetness and lovely caramelization.
Soy sauce: Adds a savory umami punch and balances the sweetness.
Apple cider vinegar: Gives a mild tang that brightens up the sauce.
Chicken broth (optional): Use to loosen the sauce if you like it saucier without watering down flavors.
Fresh parsley or green onions (optional): They add fresh color and a mild herbal note at the end.

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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 really like to make this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe my own depending on the mood. Whether you want it saucier, spicier, or a bit brighter, it’s super easy to tweak—and I encourage you to play around a bit until you find your perfect version.

Variation: I often add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little kick—that contrast with the sweetness makes every bite exciting.
Diet-friendly: If you’re watching carbs, try almond flour instead of regular flour for dredging the chicken.
Seasonal change: In summer, I squeeze in fresh lime juice instead of vinegar for a citrusy twist.
Make it extra saucy: Simply stir in ¼ cup chicken broth to loosen the sauce and coat your chicken more generously.

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

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

First off, pound your chicken breasts until they’re about ½-inch thick. This isn’t just for looks; it helps the chicken cook evenly and stay juicy. Season liberally with salt and pepper then dredge each piece in flour, shaking off the excess to avoid a gummy coating. This flour crust locks in moisture and adds a slight crispiness when cooked.

Step 2: Get Golden and Gorgeous

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Once bubbling, add the chicken and sear on one side for 4-5 minutes until it develops that beautiful golden crust. Flip carefully and let it cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. You want a nice sear but don’t fully cook it yet since it’ll finish in the sauce.

Step 3: Build That Honey Garlic Butter Sauce

Turn heat down to medium and add the last tablespoon of butter. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t burn it, garlic overcooked tastes bitter. Quickly pour in the sauce mixture made earlier (honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar). Let it simmer gently so the sauce thickens and the chicken finishes cooking through (check it hits 165ºF).

Step 4: Final Touches

If you want your sauce more generous, stir in chicken broth at this point. Turn the chicken over a couple of times in the thickening sauce to coat it beautifully. Top with fresh parsley or chopped green onions for that fresh color pop before serving.

Top Tip

From my experience, these little tips will save your day and take the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe to the next level every time you make it.

Even Thickness: Taking the time to pound the chicken ensures it cooks evenly and stays juicy—don’t skip this step!
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the chicken enough space so it browns nicely. Searing crowded chicken leads to steaming, not crisping.
Garlic Timing: Add garlic just before the sauce and keep the heat medium so it doesn’t turn bitter. Trust me, burnt garlic is the enemy here.
Sauce Thickness: Let the sauce simmer and thicken slowly. Patience here results in a luscious glaze, not a watery mess.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

honey garlic chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this chicken with freshly chopped parsley or green onions because it adds a freshness and a little color contrast to the rich sauce. Sometimes I sprinkle a few sesame seeds for a little crunch and subtle nuttiness.

Side Dishes

Pair this with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up that saucy goodness. Roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans also add a nice balance and splash of color.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fancy dinner party, I’ve served this dish sliced thin over garlic butter noodles with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes and a wedge of lemon on the side. It instantly makes the dish feel elevated and special without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers go straight into an airtight container and keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it chills, so just before reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up again.

Freezing

I’ve safely frozen this chicken with the sauce for up to 2 months. Freeze in portioned containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently to preserve moisture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat on medium-low heat in a skillet to revive the sauce and warm the chicken without drying it out. Adding a splash of broth or water helps maintain that saucy consistency while warming through.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay juicier and have more flavor. Just adjust cooking time since thighs may take a bit longer to cook through. Be sure to flatten them evenly for even cooking.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

The key is to add garlic after reducing the heat to medium and just before adding the sauce. Keep it moving in the pan and cook it for only about 30 seconds until fragrant — no longer, or it gets bitter.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for dredging the chicken. Also, make sure you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to keep it safe.

What side dishes go best with Honey Garlic Butter Chicken?

This chicken pairs wonderfully with simple sides like steamed white or jasmine rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or sautéed green vegetables such as snap peas or green beans to balance the richness.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen routine because it’s just so easy to pull off with ingredients I usually have on hand, yet it somehow feels restaurant-worthy. I love how forgiving it is too—you can adjust flavors or sides and still come away with a satisfying meal. Honestly, once you’ve tried it, this will be your go-to for busy nights when you want something comforting and tasty without fuss. I can't wait for you to try it and make it your own!