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Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken

Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
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Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken is a quick and easy homemade dinner bursting with a perfect balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic. This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a sticky, flavorful glaze over tender chicken, making it a family-friendly, versatile meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Other

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Cut breasts into bite-sized pieces or leave thighs whole if preferred. Lightly season with salt and pepper for a simple base flavor.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar until well combined to make a luscious sticky sauce.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic sauce into the same skillet. Dissolve cornstarch in water to make a slurry, then add it to the pan. Stir continuously over medium heat until the sauce thickens to a silky, glossy consistency.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return the chicken to the pan. Toss well to coat every piece with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld perfectly.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more tender results.
  • Pat chicken dry before cooking to help achieve a crispy exterior.
  • Stir the sauce over medium heat to avoid burning and to get a perfect glaze.
  • Finely mince fresh garlic for even flavor distribution.
  • Cook chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even searing.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten free chicken, weeknight meal, honey garlic sauce

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/better-than-takeout-honey-garlic-chicken/