If you need a fast, flavorful dinner, this Honey Glazed Chicken Breast delivers. Juicy chicken is coated in a sticky honey-garlic glaze that cooks right in the skillet, so there’s no marinating and minimal prep. It’s quick, family-friendly, and perfect for adding a little excitement to your weeknight chicken dinners.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Honey Glazed Chicken Video
You’ll love the simple scoring method for this chicken – there’s no marinating necessary, plus the chicken cooks faster and more evenly, so you can serve glazed honey chicken in under 15 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weekday meal.
Honey Glazed Chicken Breast Recipe
This might be my new favorite chicken breast recipe; in fact, my whole family is smitten with it (my teenage son hasn’t stopped requesting it). It’s an easy request to say “yes” to because it’s so simple to make and quick to prepare.
The sauce here is perfection, so all you need is a bed of cooked white rice and simple veggies like Roasted Cauliflower to go with it. It’s perfect for any busy weeknight, but the sauce makes it taste fancy.
Chicken is one of my favorite lean proteins to cook and eat, from Baked Chicken Breast to Air Fryer Whole Chicken. It’s simple to prepare, and you can change it up in so many different ways to keep dinner interesting.
Honey Chicken Ingredients
Turn a package of chicken into a perfectly sweet-and-savory dinner with just a few pantry staples.
- Chicken breast – about 1.5lbs or 3 medium breasts. Ideally, they are of similar sizes to cook evenly
- Flour – helps the sauce to thicken and stick to the chicken. Swap with GF 1:1 flour or cornstarch for gluten-free Honey-Glazed Chicken
- Butter – helps add richness and body to the sauce.
- Garlic – 4 minced cloves – what incredible savory flavor to offset the sweetness of the honey
- Apple cider vinegar – tangy acidity that bridges the sweetness and the savory richness of the sauce. Swap with rice wine vinegar or even white vinegar.
- Soy sauce – Salty and flavorful!
- Honey – the perfect level of sweetness for the glaze. You can easily substitutute with maple syrup, and it works just as well.
Can I Use a Different Cut of Chicken?
It’s easy to swap the chicken breast with chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand. Thighs should reach a final temperature of 170-175˚F. You can also use chicken tenders, which cook faster, just keep an eye on your pan to be sure you don’t overcook.
How to Make Honey Glazed Chicken Breasts
This 15-minute glazed honey chicken breast recipe has such incredible finger-lickin’ flavor, so it’s sure to be your new favorite!
- Score the chicken – Use a sharp knife to make criss-cross lines through the top of the chicken breasts. This is called the cross-hatch method. It helps the chicken cook faster, more evenly, and also allows the seasonings and glaze to penetrate into the chicken for more flavor.
- Season and dredge – sprinkle salt and pepper, and then press the chicken lightly into a plate of flour. Shake off the excess.
- Sear the chicken in butter in a large skillet, score-side down over medium-heat for 5 minutes, and then flip to cook another 4 minutes on the other side. The chicken should be almost cooked through, or about 10-15 degrees before the final cooking temperature.
Natasha’s Pro Tip to Prevent Butter Splatter
When melting the butter, swirl the pan until the butter is melted. This helps prevent sputtering from the milk solids being trapped under the fat.
- Make the Glaze – add the remaining butter and garlic and stir for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir and simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until thickened, spooning it over the chicken as it cooks. When the chicken is cooked through (165°F), remove it from the heat.
- Finish – plate the chicken breast by spooning sauce over the top, and then sprinkle fresh chives.
What to Serve with Honey Glazed Chicken Breast
This versatile honey-glazed chicken breast recipe is the perfect headliner to a tasty meal, so try these easy side dishes to build a complete menu.
- White Rice, or Quinoa
- Fried Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
- Korean Carrot Salad
- Vegetable Stir Fry
- Asian Chopped Salad
- Roasted Broccoli
If you’re wondering what to make with chicken breast, this recipe is the perfect answer! Glazed Honey Chicken Breast cooks up in 15 minutes and just needs simple sides for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. Try this recipe, and I know it will become part of your weekly rotation!
Honey Glazed Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, medium, about 1 1/2 lbs*
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, or cornstarch for gluten-free
- 4 Tbsp butter, divided (or 3 tbsp olive oil)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- Fresh chives, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Score the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and score the top in a shallow diamond pattern, cutting about ⅓ of the way through (don’t cut all the way through).
- Season and Dredge: Season both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour, pressing it into the scored grooves, then shake off the excess.
- Sear the Chicken: Set a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, melt 3 tablespoons of butter, swirling the pan as it melts to prevent splatter. Add the chicken, scored-side down, and cook 5–6 minutes until golden. Flip and cook another 4 minutes, or until nearly cooked through. They will finish cooking as they simmer in the sauce.
- Add Garlic and Glaze: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the garlic to the pan and sauté briefly until fragrant. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Let the sauce simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened, spooning it over the chicken as it cooks. The thickest part of the chicken should reach 165˚F.
- Finish: Garnish with fresh chives and serve warm with the extra sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
- To Refrigerate – once cooled to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- To Freeze – store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To Reheat – Heat in a skillet until warmed to 165°F. Add a splash of water to loosen up the sauce and add moisture.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
After you see how easy it is to prepare this Glazed Honey Chicken recipe, you’ll want to try these other easy chicken dinner ideas:
- Chimichurri Chicken
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Chicken Marsala
- Chicken Korma
- Pizza Chicken
- Monterey Chicken
- Chicken Parmesan
- Honey Garlic Chicken
Quick,easy, and delicious that’s music to my ears! I served over rice and peas flowed the recipe as written.
I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you for the feedback.
Perfect easy choice for quick tasty dinner
It really is, and the best part? My kids approve of this honey glazed chicken. I hope you and your family love it too!
Where can I find the counter top stove?
Love all your videos. Have your Cookbook. Love it! I tell everyone about you!
Hi Clara! It’s linked in my amazon store front here.
Brilliant
This dish would go great with wipped mashed potatoes and parmesan asparagus. Both recipes in your cook book.
That would be delicious paired with the honey glazed chicken. You have great taste!
That looks awesome.. I may try it with boneless skinless thighs cause thats my favorite lol But your breast does look good! I saw that little shark come up close to the pan as you were adding the honey and vinegar. Soo cute lol
I hope you love it, Tracy!
Hi Natasha,
I keep kosher meaning I don’t mix dairy ie butter in this recipe with meat.
What can I use in place of butter for this recipe?
Hi Shirley! You can use vegan butter or replace with oil.
Wow, that was fast and easy. I was getting ready to make lunch, but checked e-mail first. I received the link to your new post/recipe, and having everything on hand I decided to make it. Good stuff Natasha! Another winner! I did see sharky just after you put the honey in the pan.
Hi Kent, I’m so happy to hear you had everything on hand and loved the honey chicken! Thanks for the lovely review!
Will thighs work? I don’t like breast meat.
Hi Jerry! Yes, chicken thighs will work too. It tends to take a little longer to cook through so just keep an eye on it and be careful not to overcook it either. Use a food thermometer to check for doneness.
I just took chicken out of the freezer . I’m making this tonight. Thank-You Natasha.
I hope this honey glazed chicken becomes a new favorite for you! You are most welcome!