You know those nights when you want something warm and comforting, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? I have just the remedy for you—Honey Butter Chicken! This dish bursts with sweet and savory goodness, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Trust me, this has become one of my go-to recipes; it’s like a hug in every bite.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Imagine crispy, golden-brown chicken coated in a luscious honey butter sauce. It’s that perfect combination of sweet and savory that sends your taste buds soaring. It’s reminiscent of those cozy Sunday dinners, but you don’t have to wait for the weekend to indulge in this flavor delight. The beauty of Honey Butter Chicken is its simplicity—it uses straightforward ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, it’s quick to whip up, making it ideal for a busy weeknight or an impromptu gathering with friends. There’s a magic to that blend of honey’s sweetness and garlic’s punch—once you try it, you’ll find it hard to go back to your regular chicken routine.
Key ingredients overview
Now, let’s chat about what you’ll need to make this deliciousness happen.
- 800 g Boneless chicken thighs (or chicken tenders): Thighs are my favorite for this dish. They’re juicier and keep their flavor better than breasts, but feel free to swap in tenders if that’s what you have!
- 2/3 cup Flour: This will help you achieve that beautiful, crispy crust. You could use whole wheat flour for an extra nuttiness.
- 1 tsp Kosher salt & 1/2 tsp Black pepper: Essential seasonings. Use Himalayan salt for a slight twist in flavor, or even add a pinch of cayenne for heat if that’s your jam!
- 1 tsp Garlic powder: It provides a lovely aroma and flavor. Fresh garlic can be substituted but be cautious not to overpower the dish.
- 3 tbsp Olive oil (or canola or vegetable oil): For frying. Olive oil adds depth, but you can choose any high smoke point oil.
- 1/3 cup Honey: The star of the show. Use raw, local honey if you can; it’s packed with flavor and health benefits!
- 100 g Butter (unsalted): Don’t skimp here—this creates the rich, velvety sauce that marries the flavors together.
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced): Freshly minced garlic is vital for that aromatic kick!
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce (light soy sauce): It adds that umami depth—light soy sauce means less saltiness but plenty of flavor.
How this recipe comes together
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to create this masterpiece.
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or flat plate, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
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Coat the Chicken: Take your chicken and coat it with that flour mixture. Give each piece a good shake to remove excess flour—this is key for maximum crunch!
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Heat the Oil: Pour in your oil into a large pan over medium-high heat. You want it hot! Test it by sprinkling a few flour flecks in—if they sizzle, you’re ready!
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Fry the Chicken: Add the chicken to the pan. Cook them undisturbed until one side is beautifully golden, then flip to get that crispy finish on both sides. Usually, this takes about 5-7 minutes per side.
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Prepare the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked and resting on a plate, reduce the heat to medium and toss in the butter, honey, soy sauce, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Stir it until the butter melts and the sauce bubbles. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes—it’s where the real magic happens!
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Bring It All Together: Add the chicken back into the pan and give it a good toss to coat in that heavenly sauce. Let it cling for about a minute. Trust me; don’t skip this step—it’s where flavor fusion happens!
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Serve Hot: And voila! Your Honey Butter Chicken is ready to bring smiles to the dinner table.
Best way to enjoy it
Serving this dish is like painting a canvas; you can really let your creativity shine! Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice—white or brown works beautifully. Add some steamed broccoli or colorful roasted vegetables on the side for a vibrant plate that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. You could even toss it into tacos with fresh avocado and cilantro, or throw it onto a salad for a delightful crunch!
Keeping leftovers fresh
If there’s any Honey Butter Chicken left—though I highly doubt it—store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, just pop it in the microwave or warm it on the stove with a splash of water to keep the chicken moist. The sauce might thicken a bit upon cooling, so don’t worry; it will come back to life with a little heat.
Extra tips and advice
Here’s where I drop some of my pro cooking wisdom:
- Make it ahead: You can marinate the chicken for a couple of hours to overnight with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. It’s a game changer!
- Add some spice: Craving a kick? Try adding chili flakes to the sauce for a spicy-sweet experience.
- Garnish well: A sprinkle of sesame seeds or sliced green onions adds a lovely aroma and extra flair to the dish.
Creative Twists
Feel free to play with flavors! Adjust the cooking oil or switch up the type of honey. If you’re into the Asian fusion vibe, throw in some sesame oil along with the soy sauce. Feeling adventurous? A squeeze of fresh lime over the top can add a bright finish to the sweet richness of the sauce.
Ingredients list
- 800 g Boneless chicken thighs (or chicken tenders)
- 2/3 cup Flour
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 3 tbsp Olive oil (or canola oil or vegetable oil)
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 100 g Butter (unsalted)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce (light soy sauce)
Directions to follow
- In a large bowl or flat plate, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat the chicken chunks with the flour mixture.
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until crispy and golden brown.
- Remove chicken to a plate while preparing the sauce.
- Melt butter in the pan, then add honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
- Stir until bubbly, about 2 minutes.
- Add chicken to the sauce; mix well and cook for 1 more minute.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Common questions
- How long does it take to prep this dish? About 10 minutes—super quick!
- Can I substitute chicken breasts? Absolutely! Just adjust cooking time as they may cook faster.
- What sides go well with this recipe? Steamed veggies, rice, or even a fresh salad!
- Is it freezable? Yes! Lay it flat in an airtight container; it freezes well.
- How do I spice it up? Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick!
Give this recipe a try and you’ll feel like a culinary wizard in no time! I genuinely hope you take a leap and experience the warmth of this dish. You’ll find endless joy in making it, and soon enough, it’ll become a cherished favorite in your home too. Don’t forget to share your creations and thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!
Use Your Leftovers
Reduce food waste by making these recipes with your leftover ingredients:
Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!)
Description
Honey Butter Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish with crispy chicken coated in a luscious honey butter sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.Main Ingredients
Main Ingredients
Cooking Instructions
Preparation
-
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl or flat plate, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined. -
Coat the Chicken
Take your chicken and coat it with that flour mixture. Give each piece a good shake to remove excess flour for maximum crunch. -
Heat the Oil
Pour in your oil into a large pan over medium-high heat.Test it by sprinkling a few flour flecks in—if they sizzle, you’re ready! -
Fry the Chicken
Add the chicken to the pan. Cook undisturbed until one side is golden, about 5-7 minutes, then flip to achieve crispiness. -
Prepare the Sauce
Once chicken is cooked and resting, reduce heat and add butter, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir until butter melts and sauce bubbles, about 2 minutes. -
Bring It All Together
Add the chicken back into the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Let it cling for about a minute. -
Serve Hot
Serve your Honey Butter Chicken hot over rice or with veggies.Enjoy your meal!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 480kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 26g40%
- Saturated Fat 10g50%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 100mg34%
- Sodium 800mg34%
- Potassium 500mg15%
- Total Carbohydrate 31g11%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 30g60%
- Vitamin A 500 IU
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Calcium 40 mg
- Iron 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 1 IU
- Vitamin K 1 mcg
- Thiamin 0.2 mg
- Riboflavin 0.1 mg
- Niacin 4 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.5 mg
- Folate 20 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.2 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0.8 mg
- Phosphorus 250 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 25 mg
- Zinc 1 mg
- Selenium 30 mcg
- Copper 0.3 mg
- Manganese 0.5 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
