Great Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe 4 Servings

If you’re looking for that perfect weeknight wonder, let’s talk about the Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe. Seriously, this sticky, savory, sweet chicken is a total game-changer when dinner needs to happen fast. I’m Anna, and I’m obsessed with finding simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make everyday cooking feel joyful instead of like a chore. I’ve spent years perfecting these speedy skillet meals. Trust me, getting a restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes is totally doable, and this recipe proves it!

Gathering What You Need for Your Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

You know how it is when you get home, you’re starving, and you need dinner on the table pronto. That’s why this honey garlic chicken skillet recipe is my absolute go-to. We’re keeping the ingredient list short and sweet, focusing on things you probably already have or can grab easily. Don’t sweat the prep; it’s honestly just chopping chicken and mincing garlic!

We need to make sure we have everything ready to go because once that heat is on, things move quickly. Having your cornstarch mixed and your chicken seasoned before you even touch the stove makes all the difference between a relaxing cook and a frantic scramble. Here’s exactly what you need for four satisfying servings.

Essential Ingredients for the Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Chicken	1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch thick pieces
Seasoning	1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika
Fat	2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Aromatics & Sweetness	5 cloves garlic minced, 1/3 cup honey
Sauce Base	1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
Thickener	1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Garnish	1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped

Equipment Required for This Skillet Recipe

You don’t need a fancy setup for this easy chicken dinner, thankfully! A large, sturdy skillet is the star here—I use my 12-inch cast iron one, but any large, heavy-bottomed skillet will work great for searing and saucing.

• Large (10 or 12-inch) skillet
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small bowl for the cornstarch slurry
• Tongs for flipping chicken

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Okay, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens for our easy chicken dinner. Remember, because we are using thighs, they stay super juicy, but we still need to treat them right so they sear up beautifully before we bathe them in that sticky garlic sauce.

Preparing and Searing the Chicken Perfectly

First things first: grab those chicken thigh pieces—they should be about one inch thick. The most important thing you can do right now is pat them completely dry with paper towels. Seriously, don’t skip this! If the chicken is wet, it steams instead of searing, and we want that gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Once dry, season them evenly. We’re using salt, pepper, and paprika. Give them a good toss to make sure every side is coated. Now, set your large skillet over medium-high heat and add your two tablespoons of olive oil. Let that oil get hot—you want it to shimmer just a little before the chicken goes in.

Carefully place the chicken into the hot oil in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if you have to, cook this in two batches! We need space for browning. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for about four to five minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another four to five minutes. This is critical: use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest piece has reached 165°F (74°C). That’s your safety check to know your chicken is done!

Creating the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce in the Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Once the chicken is cooked through and looking golden, reduce your heat down to medium. Now we build the flavor! Push the chicken pieces to one side of the pan, or temporarily remove them if your skillet is packed. Drop in your four tablespoons of butter.

As soon as the butter melts, toss in that five cloves of minced garlic. Be quick here! Garlic burns easily, so stir it constantly for just about 30 seconds until you can really smell that wonderful fragrance. Don’t let it go brown!

Next up are the liquids that make this sauce so addictive. Stir in your honey and the low-sodium soy sauce. Bring this mixture up to a gentle simmer—just a few tiny bubbles breaking the surface. While that’s warming up, take a small bowl and mix your tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water until it’s totally smooth. This is your slurry, and it’s what makes the sauce thick and sticky.

Finishing and Serving Your Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Pour that cornstarch slurry right into the simmering sauce mixture. Keep stirring constantly, and watch the transformation! It will start thickening up noticeably within one to two minutes. You want it thick enough to cling beautifully to the chicken pieces, not stay thin and watery.

Once the sauce is coating the back of a spoon, turn off the heat. Return the chicken to the pan and toss everything gently until every bite of chicken is smothered in that glorious sticky garlic sauce. For the final touch—and this really brightens the flavor—sprinkle everything generously with that tablespoon of fresh parsley. Serve it straight from the skillet!

Tips for Achieving the Best Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe Results

This recipe is designed to be foolproof, but sometimes little things trip us up. I’ve learned a few tricks over making this easy chicken dinner dozens of times that guarantee success every single time you pull out that skillet. Don’t worry about minor mishaps; we can always adjust!

Ingredient Notes and Safe Cooking Practices

If you can’t find fresh parsley, don’t stress! I often swap in one teaspoon of dried parsley, though the fresh stuff really pops at the end. The most important rule in this kitchen, and for any chicken dish, is safety. You absolutely must confirm that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). I’m a huge believer in using a reliable instant-read thermometer; it takes the guesswork out of dinner and keeps everyone safe.

Flavor Adjustments for Your Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Taste testing before you finish is key, especially with the sauce. If you find your sauce isn’t quite sweet enough for your liking—maybe your honey was a little thin—just add another teaspoon of honey and stir it in quickly. If you used regular soy sauce instead of low-sodium and it tastes too salty, just add another splash of water when you make your cornstarch slurry next time.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

Even though this honey garlic chicken skillet recipe vanishes fast, sometimes you manage to have leftovers—and trust me, they are worth saving! The sauce tends to thicken up as it cools, which is totally normal. You want to store any leftovers in an airtight container right away. Don’t leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours, okay?

When you reheat this sticky garlic sauce meal, the best way to bring back that fresh texture is on the stovetop. Pop it back in a skillet over medium-low heat. You might need to add a tiny splash of water or even chicken broth—maybe a teaspoon or two—to loosen up that sauce again so it coats the chicken nicely instead of just sticking together.

Storage Method	Airtight Container
Refrigerator Life	3 to 4 days
Reheating Method	Stovetop (low heat with a splash of liquid)

Common Questions About the Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

I get so many messages asking for little tweaks to this recipe, and honestly, that’s the best part of sharing food! It means you’re actually making it! Here are the most common things folks ask me about perfecting their easy chicken dinner.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe?

Yes, you absolutely can! Chicken breasts are leaner, so they dry out faster. If you swap them in, make sure they are cut to the same thickness—about one inch. You’ll need to watch the internal temperature closely. Chicken breasts might only need 3 to 4 minutes per side to hit that safe 165°F (74°C), whereas thighs can handle a little more time for browning.

How can I make this easy chicken dinner spicier?

If you like a little kick with your sticky garlic sauce, there are a few easy ways to add some heat without messing up the balance! My favorite trick is to add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes right along with the minced garlic in step six. You’ll smell the spice bloom in the butter. Alternatively, a dash of your favorite hot sauce stirred in with the soy sauce works wonders too!

What should I serve with this sticky garlic sauce meal?

This honey garlic chicken is rich and savory, so you need something simple to soak up all that delicious sauce! I usually serve it over fluffy white rice because it’s the perfect vehicle for the sauce. Steamed broccoli or green beans are fantastic because they add a fresh crunch that cuts right through the sweetness. Honestly, anything that absorbs sauce is a winner here!

Estimated Nutritional Profile for Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

When you’re making a quick weeknight chicken dinner like this, sometimes you just need a quick idea of what’s in it. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates based on the ingredients listed for four servings. Since we don’t know the exact sugar or sodium content of your specific honey or soy sauce, treat this as a general guideline!

Calories	430
Protein	34 g
Fat	22 g
Carbohydrates	24 g

This is a pretty solid, protein-packed meal for just about 430 calories per serving!

Share Your Experience Making This Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe

I truly hope this honey garlic chicken skillet recipe helps make your weeknights a little brighter and tastier! Once you try this easy chicken dinner, please come back and let me know how it went. A quick rating or a comment sharing your favorite way to eat the leftovers helps me so much! Check out more ideas here!

Print