Tender, pan-seared chicken breasts are glazed with a sticky honey garlic sauce and served over fluffy white rice, garnished with fresh green onions and red pepper flakes for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a touch of heat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish comes together quickly, yet tastes like it’s been simmering all day. It’s a perfect choice for weeknight dinners thanks to its simplicity and depth of flavor. Plus, the honey garlic sauce clings beautifully to the chicken and rice.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Garlic cloves
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar or lemon juice
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Green onions
• Olive oil or sesame oil
• Salt and black pepper
• White rice (cooked)
directions
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant, then stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until thickened. Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce. Serve over rice and top with sliced green onions.
Servings and timing
Serves 4. Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes.
Variations
• Use chicken thighs for more juiciness.
• Add steamed broccoli or snow peas for a full meal.
• Replace soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option.
storage/reheating
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, but thaw them completely before searing for even cooking.
How can I thicken the sauce more?
Simmer uncovered until reduced, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
What’s a good side dish besides rice?
Steamed broccoli, stir-fried vegetables, or quinoa make great alternatives.
Is this recipe spicy?
Only if you include red pepper flakes. You can omit them for a mild version.
Can I make this in the oven?
Yes, bake the chicken and pour the sauce over it during the last 10 minutes.
What kind of honey is best?
Any pure honey works. Use a mild honey like clover or wildflower for balance.
Can I add ginger to the sauce?
Absolutely. Fresh grated ginger adds warmth and depth.
Can I meal prep this dish?
Yes, it reheats well and holds up in the fridge for several days.
Does this work with chicken tenders?
Yes, just reduce cooking time slightly as they cook faster.
Can I make this with tofu instead of chicken?
Yes, pan-fry tofu cubes and toss them in the sauce for a vegetarian version.
Conclusion
This honey garlic chicken dish delivers restaurant-worthy taste with minimal effort, making it a go-to recipe when you need something fast, flavorful, and family-friendly.
PrintHoney Garlic Chicken over Rice
Honey Garlic Chicken over Rice is a sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce, served over fluffy rice for a simple and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
- Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add to the sauce and stir until thickened, about 1–2 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Simmer for another 1–2 minutes.
- Serve hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Notes
- You can add steamed broccoli or stir-fried vegetables to make it a complete meal.
- Swap soy sauce for coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- This dish stores well and makes great leftovers for lunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with rice
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg