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Honey Garlic Chicken

By: Julia Pacheco

Sticky, sweet, and wonderfully garlicky—this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a true kitchen hero, hitting all the right notes for a quick and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner. Designed for speed and taste, it effortlessly combines tender chicken breast with a luscious, savory-sweet glaze, perfectly complemented by crisp sugar snap peas. In just 13 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

This dish is not just about speed; it’s about maximizing flavor with minimal effort. The rich, sticky sauce coats every piece of chicken, creating an irresistible texture and taste sensation. Whether you’re looking for a fuss-free dinner after a long day or a delicious meal that caters to diverse palates, this Honey Garlic Chicken offers a fantastic solution. It’s a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a range of sides, from fluffy rice to fresh noodles, or even enjoyed simply on its own for a lighter, carb-conscious option.

Recipe At a Glance

• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings

Why This Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Stands Out

• Incredibly Fast: Go from raw ingredients to a cooked meal in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for the busiest of weeknights.
• Unforgettable Flavor: The perfect blend of sweet honey, pungent garlic, tangy lemon, and umami-rich soy sauce creates a deeply satisfying and addictive glaze.
• Simple Ingredients: You’ll only need a handful of common pantry staples and fresh chicken, making grocery shopping a breeze.
• Healthy and Wholesome: Lean chicken breast provides a great source of protein, while sugar snap peas add crunch and essential nutrients.
• Family Friendly: Its universally appealing flavors make it a hit with both adults and children, even those who might be particular about their vegetables.
• Highly Adaptable: Easily customize with other vegetables or adjust the seasoning to suit your preference.

The beauty of this Honey Garlic Chicken lies in its simplicity and the impressive depth of flavor it achieves in such a short time. We’ll walk you through each step, ensuring you achieve that perfect sticky glaze and perfectly cooked chicken every single time. Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner game!

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (freshly minced for best flavor)
• 1 dash salt and pepper (to taste)
• 8 oz sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

Essential Kitchen Equipment

Gathering your tools before you start will make the cooking process even smoother. For this recipe, you’ll need:

• A large skillet or frying pan (preferably non-stick)
• Cutting board and a sharp knife
• Measuring spoons and cups
• A spatula or cooking spoon for stirring

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the Pan and Add Chicken: Place a large skillet or frying pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the cubed chicken breast. Season the chicken generously with a dash of salt and pepper, and add the minced garlic.
2. Sear the Chicken: Cook the chicken for approximately 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the chicken should begin to brown lightly on the outside and be about 90% cooked through. It should appear mostly opaque, but a tiny bit of pink in the very center is acceptable at this stage.
3. Incorporate Sugar Snap Peas: Add the sugar snap peas to the pan with the chicken. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through (no pink remaining) and the sugar snap peas are vibrant green and tender-crisp. You want them to retain a slight bite, not become mushy.
4. Add the Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the fresh lemon juice, low sodium soy sauce, and honey directly into the pan with the chicken and peas. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring all the chicken and vegetables are well coated in the delicious liquid.
5. Simmer to Create the Glaze: Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 1-2 minutes. As it simmers, the sauce will naturally thicken and become wonderfully sticky, creating a beautiful glaze that clings perfectly to the chicken and snap peas. This step is crucial for achieving the signature honey garlic texture.
6. Serve Immediately: Your Honey Garlic Chicken is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it hot. It’s fantastic over a bed of steamed white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa. For a lower-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or a simple side salad. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or sesame seeds, if desired, for an extra burst of color and flavor.

Tips for the Perfect Dish

Achieving outstanding results with this recipe is easy when you follow these simple tips:

• Avoid Overcrowding: If your skillet isn’t large enough to cook all the chicken in a single layer without overlapping, cook it in two batches. Overcrowding the pan can lower the temperature, causing the chicken to steam rather than sear and brown beautifully.
• Use Fresh Garlic: While jarred minced garlic is convenient, freshly minced garlic cloves offer a more potent and aromatic flavor that truly elevates the sauce.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before and after simmering. You can easily adjust the balance of flavors by adding a little more honey for sweetness, a tiny splash more soy sauce for saltiness, or an extra squeeze of lemon for tang.
• Even Chicken Cubes: Cut your chicken breast into roughly equal-sized cubes. This ensures that all pieces cook evenly at the same rate, preventing some from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Experiment with Vegetables: Don’t limit yourself to sugar snap peas! This recipe is incredibly adaptable. Try adding broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, thin carrot strips, or green beans. Just be mindful of their cooking times.
• Add a Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes into the pan along with the garlic in step 1, or drizzle with a bit of sriracha when serving.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Honey Garlic Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, allowing you to create a complete and satisfying meal:

• Rice: The classic pairing! Fluffy white rice, nutty brown rice, or even lighter cauliflower rice make excellent choices to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Noodles: Serve over your favorite Asian noodles like ramen, udon, or lo mein, perhaps tossed lightly with a hint of sesame oil.
• Quinoa: For a protein-rich and gluten-free grain option, quinoa complements the flavors beautifully.
• Steamed Vegetables: A simple side of steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans can add extra freshness and nutrition.
• Fresh Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, sticky chicken.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers of this delightful Honey Garlic Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken and peas in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it slightly. You can also reheat in the microwave, though a skillet often yields better texture.

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Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Per serving:

• Calories: 241 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 27g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0.01g
• Cholesterol: 73mg
• Sodium: 432mg
• Potassium: 582mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 7g
• Vitamin A: 652 IU
• Vitamin C: 40mg
• Calcium: 38mg
• Iron: 2mg

We genuinely hope you enjoy making and savoring this incredibly simple yet extraordinarily flavorful Honey Garlic Chicken! It’s truly a game-changer for those nights when you need something quick, satisfying, and utterly delicious without a lengthy cooking process. Feel free to personalize it with your favorite seasonal vegetables or a sprinkle of chili flakes if you love a little extra kick. Happy cooking, and bon appétit!