Get ready to meet your new favorite meal: this incredible Honey Butter Chicken. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, combining savory chicken with a sweet and luscious honey butter sauce that’s simply irresistible. Forget complicated recipes; this dish is ready in under 30 minutes and uses simple ingredients you probably already have. It’s a guaranteed hit with the whole family.
We’ve all been there—staring into the fridge, wondering what to make for dinner. This recipe is your answer. It’s faster than takeout and so much more satisfying. The sauce clings to every piece of chicken, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. Let’s get cooking!
Why This Honey Butter Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
You’re going to absolutely love this dish, and here’s why it stands out from the rest. It’s not just another chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy evenings.
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a true weeknight wonder.
- Simple Ingredients: No need for a special trip to the store. This recipe uses pantry staples to create a gourmet-level sauce.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The balance of sweet honey, rich butter, savory soy sauce, and a hint of garlic is pure perfection.
- Family-Approved: From picky toddlers to discerning adults, everyone loves the sweet and savory flavor profile.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe is in its simplicity. Here’s your short and sweet shopping list:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work perfectly. Cut them into 1-inch cubes for quick cooking.
- All-Purpose Flour: For a light coating that helps the chicken brown and the sauce thicken.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Butter: The foundation of our rich and silky sauce. Use unsalted to control the sodium.
- Honey: The star of the show! It provides the signature sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami depth that balances the honey.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A secret weapon that cuts through the richness and brightens the sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic for the best aromatic flavor.
If you’re looking for another amazing chicken dish, you have to try this creamy Boursin chicken recipe.
How to Make Honey Butter Chicken Step-by-Step
Ready to see how easy this is? Follow these simple steps for a flawless finish.
1. Prepare the Chicken
First, pat your chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. This helps them get a beautiful golden-brown sear. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
2. Cook the Chicken
Next, melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the coated chicken in a single layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Cook for 4-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Make the Honey Butter Sauce
Now for the best part! Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, until it starts to thicken slightly.
4. Combine and Serve
Finally, return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Gently toss everything together until the chicken is completely coated in that glorious honey butter sauce. Let it simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley or sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Every Time
Want to elevate your Honey Butter Chicken? Here are a few expert tips to guarantee success.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Keep a close eye on the chicken. Overcooking can make it dry. Since the pieces are small, they cook very quickly.
- Use Fresh Garlic: While garlic powder is in the chicken coating, using freshly minced garlic in the sauce makes a huge difference in flavor.
- Scrape the Pan: When making the sauce, use your whisk to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. That’s where all the flavor is!
- Sauce Thickness: If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer for another minute or two. If it gets too thick, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to thin it out. If you love a good sauce, you might also enjoy our Korean BBQ meatballs recipe.
What to Serve with Your Dish
This versatile chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are some of our favorite combinations:
- Rice: Serve it over a bed of fluffy white, brown, or even our popular Spanish rice recipe to soak up every last drop of the sauce.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a side of glazed carrots complement the sweet and savory flavors perfectly.
- Noodles: For a different spin, try serving it with ramen or soba noodles.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to make this recipe your own! Here are a few simple swaps and additions:
- Make it Spicy: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Add Veggies: Toss in some sliced bell peppers or onions and sauté them before making the sauce.
- Garnish Ideas: Top your finished dish with toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or chopped fresh cilantro.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals or warm gently in a skillet over low heat. You might need to add a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Yes, you can adapt this for baking. We recommend searing the coated chicken first to lock in flavor, then tossing it in the sauce and baking at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has caramelized.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great choice as they are extra juicy and flavorful. The cooking time will be very similar.
The sauce will naturally thicken as it simmers. If you’d like it even thicker, you can let it reduce for an extra minute or two, or add a small cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water).
This recipe is not spicy as written; it’s a balance of sweet and savory. However, you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce to give it a spicy kick.
If you need a substitute for soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free and gluten-free alternative. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
Yes, you can adapt this for baking. We recommend searing the coated chicken first to lock in flavor, then tossing it in the sauce and baking at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has caramelized.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great choice as they are extra juicy and flavorful. The cooking time will be very similar.
The sauce will naturally thicken as it simmers. If you’d like it even thicker, you can let it reduce for an extra minute or two, or add a small cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water).
This recipe is not spicy as written; it’s a balance of sweet and savory. However, you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce to give it a spicy kick.
If you need a substitute for soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free and gluten-free alternative. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
We hope you love this Honey Butter Chicken as much as we do! It’s a simple, delicious meal that brings everyone to the table. If you enjoyed it, please leave a comment below or share it on Pinterest! Your support helps us create more tasty recipes for you.
Honey Butter Chicken: The Ultimate 30-Minute Weeknight Dinner
This Honey Butter Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. Tender chicken is coated in a sweet and savory honey butter glaze that's ready in under 30 minutes, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken dry. In a bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-6 minutes, turning until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat completely. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Spicy Version: Add 1 tsp of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
Honey Butter Chicken: The Ultimate 30-Minute Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken dry. In a bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-6 minutes, turning until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat completely. Serve immediately.
Notes
Spicy Version: Add 1 tsp of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
