Quick Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Easy 15 Minute Dinner Idea
A fast, tasty, and fuss-free honey garlic chicken recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing meals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat 1 pound (450g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Slice each breast horizontally into even strips about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, minced garlic (3 cloves), and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Whisk until smooth.
- Place a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Let it warm until shimmering but not smoking (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add chicken strips in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed.
- Turn the chicken over and pour the honey garlic sauce over it. Reduce heat to medium and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat all pieces and allow the sauce to thicken into a sticky glaze. Ensure chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Add freshly ground black pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon) or a pinch of salt if needed. Remove from heat once the sauce clings beautifully to the chicken.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Keep heat at medium or medium-low when adding the sauce to prevent honey from burning. If sauce thickens too quickly or starts to burn, add a splash of water and reduce heat. Slice chicken into uniform strips for even cooking. Let chicken rest a couple of minutes after cooking to keep it juicy. For gluten-free, swap soy sauce with tamari. For vegan option, use firm tofu or tempeh and maple syrup instead of honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 35
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, honey garlic sauce, fast chicken recipe, sticky chicken