Name: Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 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 bursting with flavor but still incredibly easy to make, you're gonna love this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s buttery, sweet, garlicky—basically everything you want in a weeknight dinner rolled into one pan. Stick with me, and I'll walk you through making it just right.

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 have to say, this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe quickly became a go-to in my kitchen. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but comes together faster than you expect, and everyone asks for seconds—always a good sign!

Simple Ingredients: You can make this dish with common pantry staples and everyday chicken breasts.
Speedy Cooking: From prep to plate in around 15 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
Perfect Balance: The honey’s sweetness, the garlic’s punch, and the butter’s richness blend beautifully together.
Versatile: Great as is or easy to customize with spices, sides, or extra sauce to suit your taste.

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 in this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe brings its own magic. I’ll give you my tips for picking and using these so your dish turns out just right every time.

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

Chicken Breasts: I usually pick boneless, skinless chicken breasts around 5-8 oz for even cooking; pounding them to uniform thickness helps them cook faster and stay juicy.
Flour: A light coating adds a bit of crispness and helps thicken the sauce without making the chicken heavy.
Butter: Don’t skimp here—it’s the base of the sauce and creates that rich, silky texture you’ll love.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is key. Mince it finely so it melds into the sauce but doesn’t overpower with harsh bites.
Honey: This adds the perfect natural sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken beautifully.
Soy Sauce: I use low-sodium soy sauce to balance the sweetness with a little savory depth.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a splash brightens and balances the richness with gentle acidity.
Chicken Broth (Optional): Adds moisture and makes the sauce saucier if you prefer it that way.
Fresh Parsley or Green Onions: A quick sprinkle at the end delivers 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 things about this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you like it a little saucier, spicier, or simply packed with fresh herbs, I've tried a few tweaks you'll want to consider.

Variation: I sometimes add red pepper flakes for a subtle kick—perfect if you love a bit of heat to balance the sweetness.
Make it saucier: Adding a splash of chicken broth helps the sauce coat the chicken without drying out—great if you’re dipping on the side.
Citrus boost: A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice right before serving adds a bright zing that livens up the whole dish.
Herb swap: Fresh thyme or rosemary can replace parsley for a more earthy flavor.

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

Step 1: Pound and Prep the Chicken

Start by pounding the chicken breasts to about ½ inch thickness. I use a meat mallet and do this between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper to avoid making a mess. This step is a gamechanger because it helps the chicken cook evenly and stay tender.

Step 2: Season and Lightly Flour

Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Then dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess. This thin coating crisps up nicely when seared and helps thicken the sauce later on.

Step 3: Sear Until Golden

Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foamy. Add the chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip carefully and sear the other side for 1-2 minutes—don't overcook here since it’ll finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 4: Make That Glorious Sauce

Turn the heat down to medium, add the last tablespoon of butter, then toss in the minced garlic—sauté just 30 seconds or until fragrant (don’t let it burn!). Pour in your pre-mixed sauce of honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Let the sauce simmer gently, spooning it over the chicken as it thickens, and cook until the chicken hits 165°F internally.

Step 5: Optional Sauce Adjustment and Garnish

If you want your sauce saucier (and who doesn’t?), stir in ¼ cup of chicken broth here and let it heat through. Turn the chicken a few times to coat every bit in that buttery goodness. Just before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley or chopped green onions over the top for a pop of color and freshness.

Top Tip

Through trial and error with this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe, I found a few tricks that really make the difference between a good dinner and a wow-worthy dinner.

Don’t skip pounding the chicken: It cooks way more evenly and remains juicy without overcooking the edges.
Use fresh garlic, not powdered: It lends that punch of aroma you want in the sauce, but only sauté briefly so the garlic flavors stay bright and not bitter.
Be patient when searing: Let the chicken form a golden crust undisturbed for the best texture.
Monitor the sauce as it thickens: Turn the heat to medium-low if it thickens too quickly to avoid burning the honey in the sauce.

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 — the green color brightens the plate and adds a fresh flavor contrast to the rich sauce. Sometimes, a little lemon zest over the top gives it a great zing too!

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice or creamy mashed potatoes, which soak up that dreamy sauce perfectly. Roasted veggies or a simple green salad keep the plate balanced and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating the chicken over garlic butter noodles or even spiralized zucchini for a lighter touch. Piling the sauce over a bed of sautéed greens makes it look restaurant-worthy and adds layers of flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight! Just bring to room temp before reheating to keep the chicken tender.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers successfully by wrapping the chicken tightly with sauce and placing it in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, spooning sauce over the chicken to keep it moist. You can also cover and microwave in short bursts, but be careful not to dry it out. Adding a teaspoon of water or broth while reheating helps revive the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work well and bring extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust your cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a minute or two longer to cook through.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165ºF to be safe and juicy. Without a thermometer, cut into the thickest part; the meat should be opaque and juices run clear.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or cornstarch to coat the chicken. The flavor will stay just as delicious, and the sauce will thicken nicely.

What can I do to make the sauce thicker?

If your sauce is too thin, you can simmer it a little longer on medium-low heat to reduce it until thickened. Alternatively, mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce gently, cooking until it thickens.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is one of those meals that warms you from the inside out—comfort food that feels a bit special without complicated fuss. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and once you try it, I think it’ll quickly become a favorite in your home too. Don’t forget to experiment with your favorite twists and savor every delicious bite!