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 a dish that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor, you’ll love my Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s easy to whip up, incredibly tasty, and perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress without fuss.

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

I first made this honey garlic butter chicken one evening after a long day when I wanted something quick but absolutely delicious. The way the buttery, garlicky sauce combines with the sweetness of honey just wins me over every single time, and I bet you’ll feel the same way.

Speedy and simple: You can get fancy-tasting chicken on the table in about 15 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
Flavor-packed sauce: The honey, garlic, and butter create a luscious glaze that’s both sweet and savory.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the heat, add brightness, or make it saucier depending on your mood.
Great for leftovers: It reheats beautifully and pairs well with so many side dishes.

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 here is doing a special job to make this honey garlic butter chicken recipe sing. From the tender chicken breasts to the sweet and tangy sauce, everything works together in harmony. When shopping, fresh garlic and good quality butter make a noticeable difference, so don’t skimp there.

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 to an even thickness ensures quick and even cooking, plus tender bites.
Salt and pepper: The simple seasoning that enhances natural chicken flavor.
Flour: Creates a light crust and helps thicken the sauce wonderfully.
Butter: Adds richness and lets the garlic infuse beautifully.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is the star aromatics here—don’t use pre-minced in a jar if you can help it!
Honey: Brings a delicate sweetness that balances the garlic and tang.
Soy sauce: Adds depth and umami, making the sauce more complex.
Apple cider vinegar: A touch of acidity brightens the whole dish.
Chicken broth (optional): Makes the sauce extra saucy if you prefer more liquid glaze.
Fresh parsley or green onions (optional): A sprinkle at the end adds freshness and color.

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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

One of the best parts about this honey garlic butter chicken recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I like to tweak it depending on what’s in season or what flavors I’m craving—there’s plenty of room for your own spin!

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a little kick—if you like heat, give it a try!
Make it saucier: Adding chicken broth helps if you prefer more sauce to soak up with rice or bread.
Brighten it up: A splash of lemon or lime juice right before serving gives a fresh zing that cuts through the richness nicely.
Protein swaps: I’ve even used this sauce with pork chops or shrimp—not traditional but delicious!

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

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

First, pound your chicken breasts to about ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This step is key because it ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then dredge the pieces lightly in flour, shaking off any extra. This light coating helps create a delicious crust and thickens the sauce later.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat a skillet over medium-high and melt 3 tablespoons of butter. When it’s hot and bubbling, add the chicken breasts. Cook them for 4-5 minutes on one side until beautifully golden. Then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Don’t move them around too much — let them get that seared crust.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Turn the heat down to medium and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—you can smell it filling your kitchen! Now pour in the sauce mixture of honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Let it gently simmer, stirring often, until it thickens and the chicken reaches 165°F internally. If you like it saucier, add chicken broth, stir, and simmer a bit longer.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Flip the chicken again to make sure both sides are coated in that luscious sauce. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley or chopped green onions, and serve immediately while it’s warm and glossy. Trust me, you’ll want to dig right in!

Top Tip

From my experience cooking this honey garlic butter chicken recipe multiple times, small details really make a difference. So here are a few tips that will take your dish from good to unforgettable, and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Even thickness: Don’t skip pounding the chicken—it ensures fast, even cooking without dried out edges.
Watch the garlic: Garlic burns quickly, so sauté it just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then add your sauce right away to keep it sweet, not bitter.
Use fresh honey: Raw or good-quality honey adds the best flavor and shine to the sauce. It really stands out compared to store-brand varieties.
Don’t overcrowd your pan: Sear the chicken in batches if needed—crowding lowers the temperature and prevents a crisp crust.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions on top. They add a pop of color and a fresh brightness that balances the richness of the buttery sauce. Sometimes, a wedge of lemon on the side for squeezing adds a lovely zing.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce. For veggies, I love serving it alongside garlic roasted broccoli or a crisp green salad. Roasted carrots or snap peas also make lovely companions for the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating this chicken on a bed of creamy polenta or cauliflower puree. Serving it with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of sriracha mayo gives it that extra wow factor. You can even skewer the chicken pieces and drizzle sauce over for a fun appetizer vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce keeps the chicken moist, so it actually tastes great the next day — just reheat gently to avoid drying out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this chicken successfully several times. Just cool completely, pack in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet over low to medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickened too much. This helps keep the chicken juicy and the sauce glossy without scorching.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully too. They’re a bit fattier, so the chicken will be extra juicy and flavorful. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they're cooked through.

How do I make the sauce thicker or saucier?

If you prefer your sauce thicker, simply let it simmer a bit longer uncovered to reduce. To make it saucier, add about ¼ cup of chicken broth as the recipe suggests, which loosens the sauce without diluting the flavor. Adjust according to your preference.

Can I prepare this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the chicken by seasoning and dredging it in flour ahead and keep it refrigerated for a few hours before cooking. The cooked dish also reheats well, making it an excellent make-ahead meal for busy days.

What do you recommend serving with Honey Garlic Butter Chicken?

I love serving this chicken with simple sides like steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. A fresh green salad or sautéed greens add a nice balance. The sauce is so good you’ll want something to soak it up!

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this honey garlic butter chicken recipe is one of those gems I go back to again and again. It strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and garlicky richness, and it never feels like you spent all day in the kitchen. I hope you love making and eating it as much as I do—it’s restaurant-worthy comfort food that’s totally achievable at home. Give it a try and let me know what variations you come up with!