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Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken

Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free (when using tamari instead of soy sauce)

Description

Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors. Featuring juicy chicken thighs glazed with a glossy honey garlic sauce, this recipe delivers a comforting restaurant-quality meal right at home. Ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family dinners, it pairs beautifully with rice, veggies, or noodles and is loved by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, skin-on and bone-in
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (for searing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper to help sear the chicken beautifully and lock in moisture for juicy bites.
  2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. The cornstarch will act as a thickening agent once heated, creating a luscious, sticky sauce.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Simmer the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until it thickens to a glossy consistency that will coat the chicken perfectly.
  5. Combine and Glaze: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and coat each piece thoroughly with the honey garlic sauce. Let it cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds on top before serving for freshness, color, and texture contrast.

Notes

  • Use skin-on chicken for crispy texture and enhanced flavor.
  • Pat chicken dry beforehand to ensure better searing and prevent steaming.
  • Allow the sauce to thicken fully for that signature sticky glaze that clings to every bite.
  • Taste the sauce before cooking and adjust sweetness with extra honey or acidity with more vinegar as desired.
  • Rest the cooked chicken for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-frying
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, quick chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten free, honey glaze chicken, savory sweet chicken

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Find it online: https://paradisedishes.com/better-than-takeout-honey-garlic-chicken/