Quick, sticky, and so satisfying, my 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken packs all the big, bold flavor you crave—without the weeknight kitchen chaos. Think golden, juicy bites of chicken tossed in a glossy honey-garlic glaze, ready to spoon over fluffy rice in less time than it takes to scroll for takeout. It’s fast comfort food magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy, Weeknight-Saving: This dish truly lives up to its name—you’ll have dinner on the table in just 15 minutes, start to finish.
- Irresistibly Saucy: Every piece of chicken gets coated in sticky-sweet, garlicky glaze that’s absolutely impossible to resist.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Simple kitchen staples come together for a punchy, restaurant-worthy meal that feels ultra-special.
- Family-Friendly Versatility: This 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is loved by picky eaters and food-adventurers alike—and it’s easy to spice up or dial down for every palate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing complicated here! Each ingredient for your 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is a game-changer—balancing sweet, savory, and a little heat for that crave-worthy glaze. Here’s why you shouldn’t swap or skip a thing.
- Extra-virgin olive oil (or canola oil): Helps brown the chicken beautifully and prevents sticking, so don’t skimp on quality here.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized cubes so they cook lightning fast and soak up all that sticky glaze.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for initial seasoning—just a touch, since soy sauce brings plenty of saltiness.
- Honey: Provides a natural, floral sweetness and gives the sauce its signature glossy finish.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Brings savory, umami depth without making things too salty—always go for low-sodium if you can.
- Garlic (minced): The star of the show! Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce punchy flavor.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Just a pinch adds gentle (or bold!) heat—totally customizable to your taste.
- For serving (optional): Brown or white rice, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, and lime wedges bring color and crunch to every bite.
Variations
One of my favorite things about making 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is how easy it is to riff on. No need to hit pause if you’re out of chicken or need to tweak things for allergies or preferences. Here are a few fun ways to make it your own!
- Swap the Protein: Try cubed tofu, shrimp, or boneless chicken thighs if you want to change things up—just adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce for a gluten-free spin that keeps all the savory depth.
- Add Veggies: Toss in quick-cooking veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli during the last few minutes for a colorful one-pan meal.
- Double the Sauce: If you’re a serious sauce lover, simply double the glaze for maximum rice-drenching potential!
How to Make 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating your oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat—don’t rush this, a hot pan is your best friend for juicy, golden chicken! Season the cubed chicken lightly with salt and pepper, and spread it out in an even layer. Let it cook, undisturbed, for 3–4 minutes to develop that beautiful brown crust on one side.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Flavor-Packed Glaze
While the chicken is doing its thing, quickly whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if you like heat) in a small bowl. This simple mixture is what turns basic chicken into something totally addictive.
Step 3: Flip, Sauce, and Toss
Flip the chicken pieces to cook the other side, then immediately pour in all that gorgeous sauce. Toss everything together to coat. Simmer for about 4–5 more minutes—as the sauce bubbles it thickens and glazes every bite, and the little cubes finish cooking in record time!
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
When the chicken is cooked through and gloriously glossy, spoon it over hot rice and go wild with toppings: green onions for freshness, sesame seeds for crunch, chopped peanuts for extra fun, and a squeeze of lime for brightness. Dinner is served—grab your chopsticks!
Pro Tips for Making 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
- Maximize Your Sear: Let the chicken sit undisturbed when browning—it helps form a flavorful crust and keeps the bites extra juicy.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your skillet is small, cook the chicken in two batches. This ensures every piece gets properly caramelized instead of steaming.
- Watch the Sauce Thickness: If you love an extra sticky glaze, add a quick cornstarch slurry during the last 1–2 minutes to thicken things to your liking.
- Sauce Amount Control: Double the glaze for an extra-saucy finish—especially tasty if you’re serving over rice or noodles.
How to Serve 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Garnishes
Finish your 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken with fresh sliced green onions for an herbal pop, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch, and a handful of chopped peanuts for salty texture. Don’t forget a wedge of lime—the zippy squeeze brightens the whole dish!
Side Dishes
This saucy chicken begs for a bed of fluffy rice—white or nutty brown all work. Or, try it over quinoa, cauliflower rice for a lighter twist, or even a tangle of thin noodles. Steamed broccoli, snap peas, or quick stir-fried veggies round out the meal with color and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon your honey garlic chicken into lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held option at parties, or pile it onto a big platter and let everyone build their own bowls with sides and toppings. For busy lunches, tuck it into meal prep containers with rice and veggies for grab-and-go flavor bombs all week.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is a dream for lunch the next day! Allow it to cool, then pop it into an airtight container along with any extra sauce. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days—it somehow gets even more delicious as the flavors meld.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this dish! Transfer completely cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container or bag, squeezing out excess air. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To bring your honey garlic chicken back to life, warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce seems too thick. The microwave works too—just cover loosely and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until hot throughout.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here. They’re a little juicier and naturally flavorful. Just cut them into small cubes like the breasts and keep an eye on the cook time—thighs may need a tad longer to cook through.
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How can I make the sauce even thicker?
If you prefer an ultra-sticky glaze for your 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken, simply stir in a quick cornstarch slurry (try 1–2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) at the end of cooking. Let it bubble a minute or two until thickened to your preference.
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Is this dish spicy?
The heat is totally up to you! The recipe just calls for a pinch of red pepper flakes (and they’re optional). You can leave them out for a purely sweet and savory flavor, or add extra if you love a gentle kick.
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Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. To double 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken, use a large skillet and cook the chicken in batches so it browns nicely. Double all sauce ingredients for extra flavor (and leftovers to love).
Final Thoughts
I can’t say enough good things about this 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken—it’s irresistibly easy, gorgeously saucy, and honestly brings joy to any plate. Whether you need a fast weeknight saver or a crowd-pleaser for friends, this one hits the spot every single time. Give it a try—I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Print
15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, creating a delicious meal that pairs perfectly with rice and your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (or canola oil)
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes (about 1/2 inch)
- Salt and black pepper
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, adjust for heat)
For serving (optional):
- Brown or white rice
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped peanuts
- Lime wedges to squeeze over chicken
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper. (Go easy because the soy sauce has plenty of sodium.)
- Add the chicken to the skillet and brown on one side, about 3-4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes, if using, in a small bowl until well combined.
- Turn the chicken pieces over to begin cooking on the other side. Add the sauce to the pan and toss to coat the chicken pieces. Cook until chicken is cooked through, 4-5 more minutes. (The small pieces cook quickly, which is the point, so be careful not to overcook them.)
- Serve with steamed rice and top with green onions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime juice, if desired.
Notes
- Thickening: If your sauce doesn’t seem thick enough, try adding a quick cornstarch slurry in the last 1-2 minutes. Mix 1-3 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and add it to the pan to help thicken the sauce.
- Some people also double the sauce to make sure they have TONS!
- For serving: To make a complete meal, just add some steamed rice and a veggie. Or serve this over quinoa, cauliflower rice, or a thin noodle.
- Leftovers, once cooled, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove until warmed through. (Make sure to store and reheat with the sauce!)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
