Irresistibly Tender Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Nothing beats a cozy meal that instantly warms your honey butter chicken straight from the skillet.

Southern kitchens have perfected this delightful combination of crispy and sweet.

Tender chicken pieces glisten with a golden, glossy coating that promises incredible flavor.

The recipe blends simple ingredients into something magical and comforting.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance between richness and subtle sweetness.

Crispy edges and juicy interiors make this dish irresistible for anyone seeking a quick, satisfying dinner.

Why Honey Butter Chicken Deserves a Spot on Your Menu

• Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios to match personal taste preferences, creating a personalized sweet-savory experience that suits your palate perfectly.
• Prepare this delicious chicken dish in just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal solution for busy families craving a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Utilize common ingredients typically found in most kitchens, eliminating the need for special shopping trips and allowing spontaneous meal preparation with minimal extra effort.
• Pair with various side dishes like steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or fresh salad, transforming this chicken recipe into a flexible meal that adapts to different dining preferences and nutritional needs.

Ingredients to Prepare Honey Butter Chicken at Home

• Chicken: Tender protein base of the dish, best when using boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, can be easily customized to preference.

• Flour: Light crispy exterior for chicken, helps sauce stick better, all-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing chicken's natural flavor, freshly ground black pepper recommended.

• Butter: Rich, creamy base for honey sauce, provides smooth texture and depth of flavor.
• Honey: Sweet component that creates glossy, caramelized coating, local raw honey offers best taste.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and salty depth, low-sodium version can be used for health-conscious cooking.
• Vinegar: Balances sweetness and adds subtle tang, white or apple cider vinegar work well.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides intense flavor, fresh minced garlic preferred over pre-minced.

• Parsley, Chives: Fresh herbs for adding color and light herbal notes, optional but recommended for visual appeal.

How to Cook Honey Butter Chicken in Simple Steps

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 2: Pan Fry Golden Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Carefully place chicken pieces into hot pan. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until exterior turns beautiful golden brown and interior reaches safe temperature. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate.

Step 3: Create Magical Honey Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Apple cider vinegar

Stir ingredients and allow sauce to simmer and slightly thicken for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Combine And Elevate Flavors

Gently return chicken pieces into simmering sauce. Toss carefully to ensure every inch gets beautifully coated. Cook additional 1-2 minutes, letting flavors marry together.

Step 5: Serve With Flair

Transfer glazed chicken onto serving platter. Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives. Pair with steamed rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Cooking Tips That Elevate Honey Butter Chicken

• Coat Confidently: Use a shallow, wide dish for even flour coating, ensuring each chicken piece gets a uniform, crispy layer without clumping.
• Quick-Cook Technique: Use a cast-iron or non-stick skillet to achieve golden-brown chicken without sticking, maintaining perfect texture and color.
• Sauce Savvy: Let the honey butter sauce simmer gently to develop rich flavors, watching carefully to prevent burning while achieving a glossy, thick consistency.
• Flavor Boost: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a spicy kick, transforming the dish from sweet to sweet-and-heat in seconds.
• Meal Flexibility: Swap chicken breasts with thighs for more moisture, or use tofu for a vegetarian version that still captures the delicious honey butter essence.

Best Ways to Keep Honey Butter Chicken Juicy

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Heat chicken in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent rubbery texture.
• Keep remaining honey butter sauce separately in a sealed container, which can be quickly reheated and drizzled over chicken to restore its original flavor and juiciness.

What Tastes Great With Honey Butter Chicken

• Perfect Pairings
• Choose a bright, slightly acidic Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance the sweet and savory honey butter chicken. The wine's crispness cuts through the richness of the dish.
• Prepare garlic-roasted brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots to echo the sweet-savory profile of the chicken. These vegetables will enhance the main dish's flavor complexity.
• Serve steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious honey butter sauce. The mild rice provides a perfect neutral backdrop for the chicken's bold flavors.
• Offer a light lemonade or sparkling water with a citrus twist to cleanse the palate between bites. The bright, zesty notes will complement the chicken's sweet and tangy sauce.

Flavor Variations for Honey Butter Chicken to Explore

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for coating chicken. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to ensure gluten-free compliance.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap flour coating with crushed pork rinds or grated parmesan cheese. Reduce honey amount or substitute with sugar-free sweetener to minimize carbohydrates.
• Spicy Honey Butter Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the honey butter mixture. Include a dash of cayenne pepper in the flour coating for extra heat and flavor complexity.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, or oregano into the flour coating. Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like basil or cilantro over the finished dish for an aromatic enhancement.

Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern kitchens buzz with comfort when honey butter chicken arrives, melding sweet and savory notes into a memorable meal. Crispy golden chicken drizzled with rich honey butter promises a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with pure Southern charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 ½ lbs (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup (113 grams) honey
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in a seasoned flour blend, ensuring an even, light dusting that will create a delicate crispy exterior when cooked.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, carefully placing floured chicken into the pan to achieve a golden-brown sear on each side until the meat is fully cooked and develops a rich, appetizing color.
3. Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and introduce butter, allowing it to melt smoothly while releasing minced garlic to infuse an aromatic base for the upcoming sauce.
4. Pour honey, soy sauce, and vinegar into the skillet, whisking the ingredients together to create a glossy, caramelizing sauce that will cling beautifully to the chicken pieces.
5. Gently reintroduce the cooked chicken into the bubbling sauce, rotating each piece to ensure complete coverage and allowing the flavors to meld together for an additional minute.
6. Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving platter, drizzling any remaining sauce over the top and garnishing with finely chopped fresh herbs for a vibrant finishing touch.
7. Plate alongside fluffy rice or roasted vegetables to complement the sweet and savory profile of this delectable honey butter chicken dish.

Notes

• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for extra juicy and flavorful results, as they retain moisture better than chicken breasts during cooking.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before dredging to ensure a crispy, golden exterior that helps the flour coating stick perfectly.
• Adjust honey sauce sweetness by using less honey or substituting with maple syrup for a different flavor profile that works great for those watching sugar intake.
• Gluten-free option: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 515
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg