Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

$- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 1/3 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended) - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 2 tablespoons water - Salt and pepper to taste - Chopped green onions for garnish - Sesame seeds for garnish Using high-quality ingredients makes a big difference. I suggest low sodium soy sauce. It adds flavor without too much salt. Fresh garlic and ginger give a bright taste. Always choose honey that is pure and raw for the best flavor. The chicken should be fresh and free from any added hormones or antibiotics. This choice impacts the overall taste and health of your meal. You can add fun twists to this dish. Consider adding chili flakes for heat or lime juice for a tangy kick. You could also toss in some sliced bell peppers or broccoli for a veggie boost. If you love a richer taste, try adding a splash of sesame oil. This will give your sauce a deeper flavor. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need to make the marinade. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This mix adds flavor. You can add salt and pepper to taste. Next, take your chicken breasts and place them in a Ziploc bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. For even more flavor, you can let it sit for up to 2 hours. Once your chicken has marinated, it's time to cook. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Take the chicken out of the marinade, shaking off the extra liquid. Make sure to keep the marinade for later. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side. You want them to get golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. When they are done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. Now, let’s make the sauce. In the same skillet, pour in the reserved marinade. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. When the marinade is bubbling, stir in the cornstarch mixture slowly. Keep cooking for about 2-3 minutes. This will thicken your sauce. Once it reaches the right thickness, you are ready to coat the chicken! Marinating chicken helps it soak up flavors. I like to use a mix of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This gives the chicken a sweet and savory taste. Make sure to marinate it for at least 30 minutes. If you can, try to marinate it for up to 2 hours. This extra time lets the flavors really set in. Use a Ziploc bag or a shallow dish to keep it easy. Always remember to season with salt and pepper. To keep the chicken juicy, use medium-high heat when cooking. After marinating, shake off extra marinade before cooking. This helps the chicken brown nicely. Cook each side for about 5-6 minutes. Check that the internal temperature hits 165°F. This ensures it's safe to eat and still juicy. Once done, let the chicken rest for a minute before serving. This keeps the juices inside. To thicken the sauce, use cornstarch mixed with water. This makes a slurry. After the marinade simmers, slowly stir in the slurry. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens. Stir often to avoid lumps. If you want a thicker sauce, add more cornstarch. Be careful not to make it too thick; you want it to coat the chicken well. Pro Tips Marinate Longer for More Flavor: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or even overnight. This will allow the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat. Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh garlic and ginger for the marinade. Fresh ingredients will enhance the overall taste and aroma of the dish. Check Doneness with a Thermometer: To ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption. Serve with a Side: Pair the honey garlic chicken with steamed vegetables or fluffy rice to complement the flavors and create a balanced meal. {{image_2}} You can cook honey garlic chicken in different ways. Grilling gives the chicken a nice smoky flavor. It adds a great char while keeping it juicy. Just preheat your grill and cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side. Baking is another option. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Both methods work well with this recipe. Want to spice things up? You can add chili flakes to the marinade for heat. This brings a nice kick to the sweet and savory mix. Try adding a splash of rice vinegar for a tangy twist. You can also mix in some sesame oil for a nutty flavor. Experiment with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil for a fresh touch. Each twist can create a new favorite dish. Pair your honey garlic chicken with tasty sides. Steamed broccoli or green beans add a colorful touch. Serve it over fluffy rice to soak up the sauce. Quinoa is a great option for a healthy side. Adding a salad with a light dressing can balance the meal. Don’t forget to garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for that perfect finish. After enjoying your honey garlic chicken, let the leftovers cool. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps the chicken fresh. Store the container in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to keep the sauce with the chicken. It adds flavor and moisture. To reheat, take the chicken out of the fridge. You can use a skillet or microwave. If using a skillet, heat it on medium. Add a splash of water or broth for moisture. Cook for about 5 minutes, flipping until hot. If using a microwave, cover the chicken with a damp paper towel. Heat it for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds. This keeps the chicken juicy. To freeze honey garlic chicken, place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bag with the date. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat as mentioned above. This makes for a quick and tasty meal anytime. You should marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. This time allows the flavors to soak in. For a richer taste, marinate for up to 2 hours. Just keep it in the fridge. If time is tight, even 15 minutes can help. However, more time gives better flavor. If you want a honey substitute, you can use maple syrup. It has a similar sweetness and works well. Agave nectar is another good option. Both choices will keep the dish tasty. You can also use brown sugar mixed with a little water. This will mimic the honey's sweetness. To check if the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part. The meat should be white with no pink inside. Juices should run clear. Always make sure to check for safety! This blog post covered how to make a delicious honey garlic chicken. We explored quality ingredients, and I shared step-by-step instructions for marinating and cooking the chicken. I also offered tips for juiciness and sauce thickness. You learned options for cooking methods and variations to keep the dish exciting. Lastly, I provided storage tips and answered common questions. Remember, with these insights, your honey garlic chicken can shine. Enjoy your cooking journey with these ideas!$

A delicious and easy recipe for chicken breasts marinated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 third cup honey
1 fourth cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish chopped green onions
for garnish sesame seeds

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place the chicken breasts in a Ziploc bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Reserve the marinade for later. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, pour in the reserved marinade. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Once the marinade is simmering, gradually stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the thickened sauce for an additional minute until heated through. Remove from heat.
Transfer the chicken breasts to a serving platter, drizzle with extra sauce from the pan, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Serve over rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Keyword chicken, easy recipe, honey garlic