Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken is a 20-minute, one-pan wonder that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy skin and tangy glaze. The honey garlic sauce is so addictive, you’ll want to lick the plate clean. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sweet and Savory Pineapple Chicken and Rice One-Pan Wonder and Honey BBQ Chicken with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes.
Why This Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy skin that's impossible to resist.
- Sweet and tangy honey garlic glaze that's out of this world.
- One-pan, 20-minute meal that's better than takeout.
- Easy cleanup and perfect for busy weeknights.
What You'll Need for Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- vegetable oil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs: You can also use chicken breasts, but thighs stay juicier.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect crispy skin. → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked through without overcooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
- Step 1: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Pour sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add chicken back to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Cook until sauce has thickened and chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
- : Don't skip patting the chicken dry. It helps achieve a crispy skin.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce isn't thickening, cook it a bit longer or add a bit more cornstarch mixed with water.
- : For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- : To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Storing & Reheating Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezing Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
Freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Add a bit of water to the skillet to prevent burning.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness.
- Best substitution: If you don't have cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a thickener.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the skillet, it's not hot enough. Let it heat up a bit longer before adding the chicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Smoke Point Oil — Prevents hot spots and ensures even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- vegetable oil
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Pour sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add chicken back to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Cook until sauce has thickened and chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness.
- Best substitution: If you don't have cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a thickener.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the skillet, it's not hot enough. Let it heat up a bit longer before adding the chicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Add a bit of water to the skillet to prevent burning.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights FAQs
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. Cook the chicken just before serving.
Make sure your skillet is hot enough before adding the chicken. Also, don't overcrowd the skillet. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
Yes, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. Then, finish it off in the skillet with the sauce.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice, noodles, or even a side salad. For a cozy fall meal, try serving it with my Honey BBQ Chicken with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes.
Yes, you can use chicken breasts. However, thighs stay juicier and are less likely to dry out. If using breasts, make sure they are pounded to an even thickness.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken for Busy Weeknights and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
