Sweet, Savory, and Ready in 30 Minutes
If you’re looking for quick chicken ideas for dinner that feel like a treat, these honey garlic chicken breasts are going to be a new favorite. Juicy chicken is seared until golden, then coated in a sticky-sweet garlic sauce that’s downright irresistible.
It’s a lifesaver when you need easy recipes for chicken breast that work for busy nights, meal prep, or even special occasions. I often make a batch on Sunday for chicken for the week, using leftovers for salads, wraps, and rice bowls.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ✅ 30 minutes start to finish
- ✅ Made with simple pantry staples
- ✅ Works for dinner using chicken breast or as part of healthy meal prep
- ✅ Family-approved flavor with a balanced sweet and savory taste
- ✅ Easy to adapt for healthy dinner ideas chicken lovers
🛒 Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- Optional: chili flakes for heat
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
💡 Tip: The key to flavor here is seasoning chicken well before it hits the pan it locks in moisture and flavor.
👩🍳 How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
- Prep & Season – Pat chicken dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Sear Chicken – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- Make the Sauce – In the same pan, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Coat & Serve – Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, and cook 1–2 minutes more. Garnish and serve hot.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Over rice or noodles for what to make for dinner with chicken
- With roasted veggies or a fresh salad for a healthy dinner ideas chicken night
- In wraps or sandwiches for next-day lunch
- With steamed broccoli and quinoa for a balanced meal
🧂 Pro Tips
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for faster cooking
- Don’t overcook internal temp should be 165°F
- For a thicker glaze, simmer sauce a little longer before adding chicken back in
- Try adding a splash of lemon juice for a fresh twist
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan (browning works best in batches)
- Burning garlic it cooks fast, so keep an eye on it
- Adding honey too early it can scorch if the heat’s too high
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce up to 2 months
- Reheat: Warm gently on stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce
❓ FAQ
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Adjust cooking time thighs take a little longer.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Yes perfect for chicken for the week meal prep.
Q: Can I double the sauce?
Absolutely this is one of my go-to honey chicken breast recipes for extra sauce lovers.
If you loved this, you’ll also want to try my Melt In Your Mouth Chicken another reader favorite that’s just as quick, creamy, and family-approved.
🥰 Final Thoughts from Emma
These honey garlic chicken breasts are the kind of weeknight magic every home cook needs. Juicy, tender chicken wrapped in a sticky-sweet glaze that hits all the right notes savory, garlicky, and just a little indulgent. Whether you’re making chicken for the week meal prep, pulling together quick chicken ideas for dinner, or just craving a plate of pure comfort, this one delivers every time.
💛 P.S. I’ve got so many more healthy dinner ideas chicken and easy recipes dinner chicken saved on Pinterest come follow along for flavor-packed dishes you’ll want to make again and again.
📌 Follow here: Follow Spedy Recipes on Pinterest
Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- chili flakes optional, for heat
- fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, and cook 1–2 minutes more. Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve hot.