If you’re craving a dish that’s crispy, buttery, sweet, and savory—all in one glorious bite—Honey Butter Chicken is about to steal your heart. This quick, 30-minute wonder balances crunchy, golden bites of chicken with a glossy, sticky honey butter sauce that makes every forkful unforgettable!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fast Dinner: From start to finish, Honey Butter Chicken comes together in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu cravings!
- Incredible Texture: Crisp, golden chicken meets a glossy honey-butter glaze for that ultimate sticky-sweet finish.
- Crowd Pleaser: Kids adore it, adults devour it—everyone will be asking for seconds (and maybe thirds)!
- Easy, Everyday Ingredients: No fancy shopping trips required—everything you need is likely already in your pantry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of everyday staples to make Honey Butter Chicken, but each one works its magic! Every ingredient here brings something special—think ultra-tender chicken, a hint of warming garlic, or the star, that shiny honey butter sauce.
- Boneless chicken thighs or tenders (800g): The rich, juicy base—chicken thighs stay extra tender and are more forgiving than breast.
- Flour (⅔ cup): Helps create that irresistible, crispy coating for the chicken.
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Seasons every bite and enhances the natural flavors.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle heat that balances the honey’s sweetness.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Lends a gentle savory depth to the flour coating.
- Olive oil, canola, or vegetable oil (3 tablespoons): For frying up those chicken pieces to golden perfection.
- Honey (⅓ cup): The backbone of the sauce, delivering that signature sweet, sticky shine.
- Unsalted butter (100g): Melts into the honey for a rich, velvety glaze.
- Fresh garlic, minced (2 cloves): Infuses every bite with real garlic flavor—absolutely not optional!
- Light soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Offers balance and a hint of umami to the sweetness of honey and richness of butter.
Variations
This recipe is wildly flexible—don’t be afraid to put your own spin on Honey Butter Chicken! It’s easy to tailor to your dietary needs or what’s in your fridge, so go ahead and experiment.
- Use Chicken Breast: Prefer leaner meat? Swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut into chunks for the same mouthwatering result.
- Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of chili flakes or a spoonful of sriracha to the honey butter sauce for a sweet-and-spicy twist.
- Gluten-Free: Replace flour with your favorite gluten-free blend or even cornstarch for a crispy, allergy-friendly option.
- Herby Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the finished dish to lift the flavors with a green, aromatic touch.
How to Make Honey Butter Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Crispy Chicken
Start by mixing together your flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl or large plate. Toss in the chicken chunks, making sure each piece gets a thorough coating—this is what gives you that crunch after cooking!
Step 2: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat your oil in a large pan over medium-high until shimmering hot. Lay the coated chicken pieces in a single layer and let them sizzle undisturbed for about 5 minutes. Flip, and cook until all sides are deeply golden and irresistibly crispy. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate while you make the sauce.
Step 3: Create the Honey Butter Sauce
In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and fresh garlic, letting everything bubble gently for a couple of minutes until the sauce smells heavenly and looks silky.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Return the crispy chicken to the pan, tossing to coat each piece in that luscious honey butter glaze. Let it cook for about a minute so the sauce clings perfectly to the crust. Serve your Honey Butter Chicken piping hot—and just try not to sneak a bite before it hits the table!
Pro Tips for Making Honey Butter Chicken
- Let the Chicken Rest Undisturbed: Allowing your chicken to cook without flipping for 5 minutes ensures a gorgeous, crispy crust that holds all the sauce.
- Choose Thighs for Juiciness: Chicken thighs are your best bet for moist, flavorful bites that don’t dry out during cooking.
- Honey Quality Matters: Use real, good-quality honey for a glossy sauce and deep, floral sweetness—local honey works a treat here.
- Sauce Consistency: Let the sauce bubble until slightly thickened before adding back the chicken, so it hugs every piece and doesn’t slide right off.
How to Serve Honey Butter Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped green onions or fresh parsley is pure magic here—they add a pop of color against the golden chicken and bring a fresh, savory note to every mouthful. For extra crunch, a dusting of toasted sesame seeds is just the thing.
Side Dishes
Honey Butter Chicken loves company—serve it with fluffy white rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or warm, crusty bread to mop up every last drop of sauce. Quick-steamed broccoli or a lightly dressed green salad are perfect for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling the chicken onto a platter and drizzling with extra honey butter for family-style sharing, or serve as finger food with toothpicks at a party. You can even tuck pieces into slider buns with slaw for an unforgettable sandwich twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Honey Butter Chicken (lucky you!), cool it completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The coating may soften slightly, but the flavor is still spectacular.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze cooled chicken (preferably without sauce) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To bring back that crispiness, reheat Honey Butter Chicken in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–12 minutes or until heated through. A quick stint under the broiler restores a bit of that crackly exterior—it’s the next best thing to fresh!
FAQs
-
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for Honey Butter Chicken?
Absolutely! Just be careful not to overcook chicken breast, as it dries out faster than thighs. Cut into even pieces for best results.
-
Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap the flour for a gluten-free blend or use cornstarch. The chicken will still turn out gloriously crispy and golden.
-
Can I double the honey butter sauce?
If you’re a sauce fanatic, doubling the sauce is a delicious idea! It also works well if you’re serving the chicken over rice or noodles.
-
What’s the best way to keep Honey Butter Chicken crispy?
Let the chicken rest on a wire rack after frying instead of a plate, so air circulates around the pieces and preserves the crunch before coating in the sauce.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give this Honey Butter Chicken a spot on your dinner table soon—it’s just too good to miss! Every bite is a little celebration of contrasting flavors and textures. Gather your favorite people, and get ready for rave reviews!
Print
Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Honey Butter Chicken recipe is a quick and delicious dish that combines crispy chicken with a sweet and savory honey butter sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 800 g Boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders
- 2/3 cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil or canola oil or vegetable oil
For the Honey Butter Sauce:
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 100 g Butter unsalted
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce light soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Coat chicken pieces with the flour mixture.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a pan, cook chicken until crispy and golden brown. Remove cooked chicken.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: Melt butter with honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Cook until bubbly.
- Combine and Serve: Add chicken to the sauce, cook briefly to coat. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can use different cuts of chicken for this recipe.
- Allow the chicken to cook without flipping for at least 5 minutes to develop a crispy crust.
- Chicken thighs are recommended for a moist interior and crispy exterior.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
