This recipe provides instructions for making Honey Garlic Chicken Breast, a popular dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Chicken breasts are a lean and versatile protein that readily absorbs flavors from marinades and sauces. In this preparation, the chicken is typically pan-seared, baked, or grilled until cooked through and then glazed with a luscious sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and often a touch of vinegar or other seasonings for complexity. The honey provides sweetness and a sticky texture, while the garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor. Soy sauce contributes a savory and umami depth to the sauce. The resulting dish is a balance of sweet and savory with a slightly sticky and caramelized glaze that coats the juicy chicken. Honey Garlic Chicken Breast is a quick and easy meal option that is both flavorful and satisfying, often served with rice, noodles, or vegetables. The image shows several pieces of cooked chicken breast on a plate. The chicken has a rich, reddish-brown glaze with visible pieces of garlic and possibly other seasonings. The glaze appears thick and glossy, coating the chicken pieces evenly.
The primary ingredient is chicken breast, a lean and quick-cooking protein that is ideal for absorbing flavors.
The signature flavor comes from the honey garlic sauce. Honey provides the sweetness and contributes to the glaze’s texture. Garlic, typically minced or finely chopped, adds a pungent and aromatic element. Soy sauce provides a salty and umami base to the sauce.
Often, a touch of oil, such as olive oil or sesame oil, is used for searing or cooking the chicken and can also be part of the sauce.
Vinegar, such as rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, is sometimes added to the sauce to provide a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the honey.
Water or chicken broth can be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
Seasonings such as salt and black pepper are essential for enhancing the overall flavor. Some recipes may also include red pepper flakes for a hint of spice, or ginger for a warm, aromatic note.
The preparation typically involves searing the chicken breasts in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, a honey garlic sauce is made by combining honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar (if using), and sometimes water or broth in the same skillet or a separate saucepan. The sauce is simmered until it thickens slightly. The cooked chicken is then coated in the glaze, ensuring each piece is well covered.
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast is best served hot, allowing the glaze to be warm and sticky and the chicken to be tender and juicy.
The texture is tender chicken coated in a glossy, slightly sticky glaze.
The flavor profile is a balance of sweet from the honey, savory and umami from the soy sauce, pungent from the garlic, and a potential hint of tanginess from vinegar or spice from red pepper flakes.
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast is a dish of cooked chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory glaze made primarily from honey, garlic, and soy sauce.
The preparation involves cooking chicken breasts and then coating them in a thickened honey garlic sauce.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon water or chicken broth (optional, for sauce consistency)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional, for spice)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Whisk or spoon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil or sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and optional vinegar and water or broth. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Glaze the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the honey garlic sauce. Turn the chicken to coat it evenly with the glaze. Let it simmer in the sauce for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to further thicken and stick to the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the Honey Garlic Chicken Breast from the skillet and place it on a serving plate. If desired, garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or your favorite side dishes.
Tips and Variations:
- Marinating: For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of some of the honey, soy sauce, and garlic for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Thickness of Sauce: Adjust the simmering time of the sauce to achieve your desired thickness. Simmering longer will result in a thicker glaze.
- Spice Level: Control the heat by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes or adding a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Ginger: Add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger to the sauce for a warm and aromatic flavor.
- Lemon or Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice at the end can add a bright and zesty note to the sauce.
- Baking: You can also bake the chicken and then toss it in the prepared honey garlic sauce. Bake the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
- Grilling: Grilled chicken breasts can also be brushed with the honey garlic sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.
Enjoy your delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Breast!