Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with your new weeknight favorite: the Honey Butter Chicken Recipe. This dish is pure comfort on a plate, featuring juicy, golden bites of chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that’s as irresistible as it sounds. With a handful of pantry staples and less than 30 minutes, you can serve up a meal that feels special yet effortless—perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself after a long day. Each bite is a beautiful balance of flavors and textures, making this recipe one you’ll want to return to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Honey Butter Chicken Recipe is how a few simple ingredients come together to make something truly memorable. Every element here adds its own touch, whether it’s a pop of flavor, golden color, or a crave-worthy crisp.
- Chicken thighs or breasts (1 1/2 lbs): Go for chicken thighs for extra juiciness, or breasts for a lighter bite—cut into even pieces for quick, even cooking.
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup): This is your secret to that beautiful golden crust that soaks up the sauce perfectly.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for bringing out all the flavors and seasoning the chicken just right.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a gentle heat and rounds out the savory notes.
- Paprika (1/4 teaspoon): Gives a hint of color and smoky depth to the coating.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): Helps achieve a crispy, golden sear on your chicken without overpowering flavors.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): The star for that silky, rich sauce—unsalted keeps you in control of the seasoning.
- Honey (1/4 cup): Brings the perfect natural sweetness and a gorgeous sticky glaze.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Deepens the flavor with a savory, umami twist.
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Adds bold aroma and a little zing to the sauce.
- Chopped parsley or green onions (optional): For a fresh, colorful finish that brightens up the plate.
How to Make Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Dredge the Chicken
Start by mixing the flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika in a shallow bowl. Dredge your chicken pieces in this mixture, making sure each piece is nicely coated. This step is key for locking in moisture and getting that irresistible crispy exterior once it hits the pan.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add your flour-coated chicken in a single layer—don’t overcrowd the pan, or you’ll lose that lovely crust. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside while you work your sauce magic.
Step 3: Make the Honey Butter Sauce
With the skillet still on the stove, lower the heat and add the butter, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir gently as the butter melts and everything combines. After 2 to 3 minutes, you’ll have a luscious, fragrant sauce that’s slightly thickened and ready to coat your chicken.
Step 4: Coat and Simmer
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing everything so each piece is bathed in that glossy honey butter sauce. Let it simmer together for another 2 to 3 minutes so the chicken absorbs even more flavor and the sauce clings beautifully.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Finish by sprinkling chopped parsley or green onions over the top, if you like. Serve your Honey Butter Chicken Recipe hot, making sure to spoon extra sauce over each portion for maximum flavor.
How to Serve Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or green onions adds a pop of color and a fresh, herby lift to every plate. If you enjoy a hint of heat, a dash of red pepper flakes can also be a wonderful finishing touch. Don’t skip the garnish—it’s the easiest way to make your Honey Butter Chicken Recipe look restaurant-worthy!
Side Dishes
This chicken is practically begging to be paired with fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even roasted vegetables. The sauce loves to mingle with starchy sides, soaking in and delivering that sweet-savory punch with every bite. For a lighter meal, try a crisp green salad or some steamed broccoli on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Honey Butter Chicken Recipe into a showstopper by serving it family-style on a big platter, or make fun individual bowls with rice and a scattering of chopped veggies. For a party, skewer the chicken pieces and drizzle the sauce over them for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. However you serve it, this dish is sure to be the star of the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honey Butter Chicken Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken slightly as it cools, but that just means the flavors will be even more concentrated the next day.
Freezing
To freeze, let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then pack them into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It’ll keep its flavor and texture for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For the best taste and texture, reheat your Honey Butter Chicken Recipe gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Microwave reheating works too—just use a lower power setting and stir halfway through to keep everything evenly warm and saucy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work well for this Honey Butter Chicken Recipe. Thighs will be juicier and more forgiving if you accidentally overcook them, but breasts are leaner and still pick up all that delicious flavor.
Is this dish very sweet?
The honey does add a lovely sweetness, but the soy sauce and garlic balance it with savory and umami notes. If you want it less sweet, you can reduce the honey slightly or add a splash more soy sauce to taste.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend, and double-check that your soy sauce is certified gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains unchanged and just as tasty.
What can I use instead of soy sauce?
If you need a soy-free option, coconut aminos or tamari make great substitutes. Both will give you that savory depth without any soy, keeping your Honey Butter Chicken Recipe allergy-friendly.
How can I make it spicy?
For a sweet-and-spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce. Start small—you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dish that’s quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing, give this Honey Butter Chicken Recipe a try—it’s a guaranteed hit that’s as easy to make as it is to love. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a new staple at your dinner table!
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Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Honey Butter Chicken recipe is a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful honey butter sauce. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner, it’s crispy, sticky, and packed with rich flavors that pair wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
For Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Chopped parsley or green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Dredge the chicken pieces in this flour mixture until they are evenly coated on all sides.
- Cook the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the honey butter sauce: Lower the heat to low, then add the unsalted butter, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic to the same skillet. Stir continuously and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the honey butter sauce. Let it simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to absorb the flavors and ensure the chicken is heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions on top before serving. Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or your choice of vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, fry the chicken in batches and avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Add a dash of red pepper flakes if you prefer a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for leaner protein.
- Make sure the sauce is slightly thickened before adding the chicken back to avoid a runny texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
