Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast is a quick and easy dish that pairs tender, juicy chicken breasts with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this balanced and healthy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or impressing guests with minimal effort. Its versatile flavors complement a variety of sides and adapt well to dietary needs, making it a favorite in any household.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to help achieve a golden sear. Lightly season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to cling perfectly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking and juicy results.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure each piece sears properly rather than steams.
- Use fresh minced garlic for the best authentic flavor compared to pre-minced garlic.
- Keep an eye on the sauce while simmering to prevent burning, stirring gently as it thickens.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, chicken breast recipe, quick chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken, weeknight chicken, honey sauce chicken