Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

$To make this tasty dish, gather these main ingredients: - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 1/4 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended) - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) These ingredients create a rich and sweet flavor. Honey gives the dish a lovely glaze. Soy sauce adds depth. Garlic and ginger bring warmth and zest. For an extra pop of flavor and color, consider these optional garnishes: - Chopped green onions - Sesame seeds These toppings not only look great but also enhance the dish's taste. Green onions add freshness. Sesame seeds add a nice crunch. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference. Choose high-quality honey for the best sweetness. Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels. Fresh garlic and ginger boost the dish's flavor. Always check for good color and smell when buying chicken. Fresh chicken cooks better and tastes great. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make the marinade, you need a medium bowl. In this bowl, whisk together: - 1/4 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Mix these ingredients well. The honey gives a sweet touch. The soy sauce adds saltiness. Garlic and ginger bring depth and warmth. This marinade will coat the chicken with rich flavors. Take your chicken breasts and place them in a zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Make sure each piece is covered well. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly. Let this sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, marinate for up to 4 hours. The longer it sits, the tastier it gets! First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). After marinating, remove the chicken from the bag or dish. Keep the marinade for later use. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of olive oil. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side. You want them golden brown. Once seared, pour the reserved marinade over the chicken. Now, transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Check that the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Once done, take the skillet from the oven. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. When ready to serve, drizzle the pan sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for an eye-catching finish. Enjoy your delicious meal! To make a great marinade, balance is key. Start with a mix of honey and soy sauce. Honey gives sweetness while soy sauce adds salt. Use fresh garlic and ginger for a zing. Mix these in a bowl until smooth. Place your chicken breasts in a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal the bag. Make sure all pieces are coated. For the best flavor, let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, but 4 hours is even better. For juicy chicken, sear it first before baking. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil to the pan. Once hot, place the marinated chicken in the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step locks in moisture. After searing, pour the reserved marinade over the chicken. Then, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe eating. You can easily tweak the flavor of this dish. If you like it sweeter, add more honey to the marinade. For heat, stir in red pepper flakes. Use 1/4 teaspoon for a mild kick. If you want more spice, feel free to add more. Adjust these flavors to fit your taste. This way, you can make the dish your own and enjoy every bite. Pro Tips Marinate Longer for More Flavor: Allow the chicken to marinate for up to 4 hours to enhance the depth of flavor from the honey and garlic. Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Don’t Discard the Marinade: The reserved marinade can be used to create a delicious sauce; just be sure to bring it to a boil before serving for safety. Rest Before Slicing: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping it moist and tender. {{image_2}} You can add veggies to this dish for more flavor and color. Try using bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas. Simply chop the vegetables and toss them into the marinade with the chicken. When you sear the chicken, add the veggies to the skillet. They will soak up the sauce and become tender. This adds nutrition and makes your meal more colorful. Want some heat? You can spice up your honey garlic chicken. Add extra red pepper flakes to the marinade. You could also use a spicy soy sauce or add Sriracha. This will give your chicken a nice kick. Just remember to balance the heat with the sweetness of the honey. This mix will make your taste buds dance! You don’t have to bake your chicken. Grilling gives it a smoky flavor. To grill, marinate the chicken as usual. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side. For slow-cooking, place the marinated chicken in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. This method makes the chicken super tender. Both methods add different flavors, so choose what you like best! After you enjoy your honey garlic chicken, store leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure the chicken has cooled down to room temperature before sealing it. This helps to keep the chicken fresh. Place it in the fridge, where it will stay good for up to four days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing. To reheat your honey garlic chicken, use the oven for the best results. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. This keeps the chicken from drying out. Heat for about 15 to 20 minutes or until warm. You can also use a microwave, but be careful not to overcook it. Heat in short bursts, checking often. If you want to freeze your honey garlic chicken, ensure it is cooled completely. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. The chicken will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can use bone-in chicken. Just note that bone-in chicken takes longer to cook. The cooking time may increase by 10 to 15 minutes. Always check the internal temperature to ensure safety. Bone-in chicken often has more flavor and stays moist. To check if the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). You can also cut into the thickest part of the chicken. The meat should be white and juices should run clear. If you see pink, it needs more cooking time. Honey Garlic Chicken pairs well with many sides. Here are some tasty options: - Steamed rice - Grilled vegetables - Mashed potatoes - Quinoa salad - Fresh greens These sides balance the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken. Enjoy your meal! In this post, we explored how to make honey garlic chicken breasts. We covered key ingredients and optional garnishes. I provided step-by-step instructions for marinating and cooking your chicken. You learned tips for a perfect marinade and how to adjust flavors. We also discussed variations like adding vegetables or using different cooking methods. Finally, we covered storage and reheating tips. With this guide, you can create tasty meals that impress. Enjoy your cooking adventure and savor every bite of your delicious creation!$

Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

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 25

Total Time 35

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
0.25 cup honey
0.25 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
to taste chopped green onions for garnish
to taste sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, olive oil, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) until well combined.
Place chicken breasts in a zip-top bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for more flavor).
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use.
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil to the pan and sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Once seared, pour the reserved marinade over the chicken breasts and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes.
To serve, drizzle the pan sauce over the chicken breasts and sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish.

Notes

Serve the chicken on a white platter, drizzled with extra sauce and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for a pop of color. Accompany with steamed rice and grilled vegetables for a complete meal.

Keyword chicken, easy recipe, honey garlic