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My 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is one of the quickest stovetop dinners that I make. It is super flavorful and doesn’t require that I spend to much time in the kitchen. The chicken cooks quickly in a skillet, and the sauce comes together while everything is already on the stove. It is a reliable weeknight recipe I count on when I do not have much time.
👉 If you like quick dinners, you’ll need to try my Creamy Chicken and Egg Noodles.
This honey garlic chicken is cooked in one pan and finished with a simple sweet and savory sauce. The chicken stays juicy while the sauce thickens directly in the skillet. It is a practical dinner that works well over rice or alongside vegetables. This recipe is especially useful for busy weeknights.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and cooks quickly without needing extra steps. The sauce balances the flavor without being very heavy. It is easy to adjust and works with different sides depending on whatever you have on hand.
⏰ Total Time: 25 minutes
🍂 Perfect For: Busy weeknights, quick dinners
🛒 Key Ingredients: Chicken, honey, garlic
🍽️ Servings: 4
🥄 Skill Level: Easy
🧊 Storage: Refrigerates well
👉 If you like quick skillet meals, then you will love my Turkey Rice Skillet.
Made With Love,
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need for 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
- Full Ingredients List
- Swaps & Substitutions
- How to Make 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
- 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Variations
- Tips and Tricks
- Recipe FAQs – 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
- Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- How I Use the Leftovers
- More Great Chicken Recipes
- 20 – Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
What You’ll Need for 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Tenderloins: Cook quickly and stay juicy
- Honey: Creates a light sweet sauce
- Soy Sauce: Balances the sweetness
👉 My Lemon Chicken Orzo is another fast dinner option when time is tight.
Full Ingredients List
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins or chicken breast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ⅓ cup chicken brot
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
Swaps & Substitutions
- Use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins
- Swap rice vinegar for apple cider vinegar
How to Make 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Step 1: Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4 minutes per side until cooked through.
Step 3: While the chicken cooks, whisk together the chicken broth, honey, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a small bowl.
Step 4: Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet and stir until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step 5: Pour the sauce into the skillet and let it simmer for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
🔒 The step-by-step instructions are also available in the printable recipe card below — don’t forget to save it for later!
20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Variations
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- Stir in steamed broccoli at the end
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Use medium heat so the sauce does not burn
- Cooking garlic briefly prevents bitterness
- Simmering thickens the sauce
Recipe FAQs – 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Yes, slice them evenly so they cook at the same rate.
Yes, it thickens as it simmers.
Yes, especially if serving over rice.
Up to 3 days refrigerated.
👉 Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is another weeknight-friendly option.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over white or brown rice
- Pair with steamed vegetables
- Add a simple side salad
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store up to 3 days
- Freezer: Not recommended for best texture
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave
👉 Million Dollar Spaghetti is a good freezer-friendly alternative.
How I Use the Leftovers
- Reheat for lunch with rice
- Slice and serve over salads
- Wrap in tortillas for a quick meal
More Great Chicken Recipes
Pin this recipe so you have it ready when you need it.
20 – Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins or chicken breast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 4 minutes per side.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
- Add butter and garlic to the skillet and stir until fragrant.
- Pour in sauce and simmer 4 to 6 minutes until thickened.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the skillet.
- Double the sauce if serving over rice.
- Use medium heat to prevent burning.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this last week. My husband and I loved the sauce. I did add almost 2 tsp. of Tabasco to the honey and warmed it in the microwave for a few seconds to make “hot honey” – this sauce was so flavorful and easy! The only complaint was the tenderloins were somewhat dry on the ends. So, tonight I am trying this again with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I’ve been craving the sauce for days!