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This honey garlic soy sauce chicken recipe is quick, easy, and flavorful. The savory-sweet sauce is made with pantry staples, and this dish is ready in about 30 minutes!
You may also like my Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp or Honey Garlic Salmon.
Why you’ll love it
My Honey Soy Sauce Pork Chops recipe inspired this one. That simple garlic sauce was just too good to not pair with tender pan-fried chicken as well! The ease of this weeknight chicken dinner is why it’s in my rotation. And who can resist honey garlic? Not me.
This honey soy sauce chicken is very straightforward to make. It’s got a lot more depth of flavor that you’d guess from the short list of pantry ingredients. There’s plenty of garlicky goodness here that perfectly complements the juicy chicken in the quick pan sauce.
What you’ll need
- Chicken breasts – we’re cutting them in half lengthwise for quicker, more even cooking
- Garlic powder and pepper – to infuse an extra layer of flavor right into the chicken
- Flour – it gives the chicken that nice golden crust
- Butter – for a bit of richness
- Olive oil – for pan frying
- Low-sodium chicken broth – to make the base of the sauce
- Low-sodium soy sauce – it adds a bit of depth/balances the flavors
- Honey and garlic – everyone’s fave sweet and savory combo!
- Cornstarch – to thicken the sauce
Pro tip
I recommend using low-sodium soy sauce and low-sodium chicken broth for this recipe. I did test it with the regular kind, and I think it may be too salty for many people. If you do go that route, maybe skip salting the side dishes.
How to make honey soy sauce chicken
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cut the chicken into 4 thinner cutlets, and season with pepper and garlic powder. Dredge in flour. Heat up the oil and half the butter in a skillet. Sear the chicken until golden, then transfer to a plate.
Remove the pan from the heat. Add the broth, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and rest of the butter. Return to the stove, and let it bubble for a minute or so. Make a cornstarch slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Return the chicken to the pan, and cook through.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- The chicken can splatter while you’re frying it, so I recommend using a splatter guard.
- Here is the skillet I use for this recipe.
- Cut the chicken with a sharp chef’s knife, and easily mince the garlic with a squeeze of a garlic press.
- Use an instant read thermometer to ensure that perfect 165F internal temperature.
Substitutions and variations
- You could swap the honey for maple syrup.
- If needed, you can skip the flour, but it does help the chicken to brown quickly.
- You can grate about a teaspoon of fresh ginger into this dish if you want to give it a little zing, or add some red pepper flakes for a kick!
What to serve with honey soy sauce chicken
- Drizzle that delicious sauce over a pile of Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream. My Easy Baked Potato recipe works too or these Roasted Red Potatoes.
- Rice or steamed vegetables is another option, or try these Easy Roasted Green Beans or Easy Roasted Asparagus.
- Craving a salad? This Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad goes with everything.
Leftovers and storage
- Store any leftovers of this garlic soy sauce chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat slowly over a low heat until warmed through.
- You can freeze this one, but keep in mind the flour coating may get soggy.
If you made this honey garlic chicken recipe, please leave a star rating and review below. I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram with your S&L creations.
Honey Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Flour for dredging
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the chicken in half lengthwise so you have four thinner cutlets. Sprinkle them with the pepper and garlic powder, and then coat each piece in flour.
- Add 1 tbsp of the butter and the olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan's hot, add the chicken. Cook it for 4-5 minutes/side until golden, then transfer to a plate.
- Take the pan off the heat and add the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and remaining butter. Return it to the heat and let the sauce bubble for about a minute or so.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 teaspoon of cold water, then pour it into the skillet and give it a stir.
- Add the chicken back to the pan (along with any juices on the plate) and continue cooking until the sauce has reduced a bit and the chicken is fully cooked through (about 5 minutes). You may need to reduce the heat so it's not bubbling like crazy. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If needed, you can skip the flour dredge on the chicken. It helps it nicely brown in a fairly short amount of time and also helps thicken the sauce a bit (but the cornstarch does most of the thickening).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This recipe was originally published on April 22, 2020. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
This also works very well substituting pure Maple Syrup for the honey. No maple taste.
It was a bit sweet for my taste, but I think I would like it better with pork like the other recipie! It was still delicious! I made it with some mashed potatoes and green beans like th picture and it really was a hit!
I would recommend if you are having a sweet tooth!
Thank you!!
I wanted a different chicken last night so decided to try this recipe, per usual the tastiest meal to satisfy my sweet and salty desire. I used honey and we loved the sweet flavor, not strong but just the perfect amount. My husband asked, when can I make this again, so I know he liked.
That’s wonderful to hear, Carol! 😀 Thanks for your 5-star review!
Delicious! I will be keeping this in my rotation.
Thank you!!
I made this tonight and the kids loved it! So far we’ve tried two of your recipes and they have been added to our rotation! Looking forward to trying more!!
I’m thrilled to hear that, Ashley! 😀 Thanks for your review!
So quick, easy and good!! Adding this to my don’t feel like cooking rotation!
Fantastic!! Thanks, Mandy!
Can you use margarine instead of butter?? I ran out of butter.
I think that should be ok.
This recipe was truly easy to make, quick and quite tasty.
I will def save it as a favorite and make again.
Most items are probably in your pantry
I did add a touch of cayenne and doubled the amount of sauce. We like sauce….lol
I love sauce too lol. I’m so happy you liked it! Thanks for your review!
Delicious and quick to make!
So glad you liked it, Natalie!
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Sure!