Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
Easy better-than-takeout honey garlic chicken is crispy, sweet, and savory. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to a perfect glaze every time. The honey garlic sauce creates a golden, melty coating that’s irresistible. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips, including how to prevent the #1 mistake. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Homemade Blackberry Coconut Pink Drink (Starbucks-Inspired) and Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits.
Why This Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden chicken with a sweet and savory glaze
- Ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Customizable with your favorite veggies
What You'll Need for Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- garlic powder
- ginger
- red pepper flakes
- sesame seeds
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature every time. → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook the chicken: Cook chicken in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and ginger. Add honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Stir until thickened.
- Glaze the chicken: Return chicken to the skillet, coating both sides in the sauce. Cook until caramelized.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with your favorite sides.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 mistake is overcooking the chicken, which makes it dry. To prevent this, use an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken at 165°F (74°C).
- Tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The honey garlic sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Freezing Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge 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 warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. The texture may be slightly different.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, add your favorite vegetables to the skillet after cooking the chicken and before making the sauce.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the honey are recommended for the best flavor.
- Make-ahead: The chicken can be pounded and seasoned up to 1 day ahead of time. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water. Stir and cook for an additional minute.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality honey — Using pure, high-quality honey enhances the flavor of the glaze and ensures a perfect consistency. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
Seasonings
- garlic powder
- ginger
- red pepper flakes
- sesame seeds
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook the chicken: Cook chicken in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and ginger. Add honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Stir until thickened.
- Glaze the chicken: Return chicken to the skillet, coating both sides in the sauce. Cook until caramelized.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, add your favorite vegetables to the skillet after cooking the chicken and before making the sauce.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the honey are recommended for the best flavor.
- Make-ahead: The chicken can be pounded and seasoned up to 1 day ahead of time. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water. Stir and cook for an additional minute.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. The texture may be slightly different.
- Make ahead: The honey garlic sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken FAQs
Yes, cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. Then, follow the sauce and glazing steps in the recipe.
Overcooking the chicken is the most common reason for a dry dish. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C).
Yes, cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite vegetables make great sides for this dish. For a complete meal, try it with Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies for dessert.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. However, always check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Better Than Takeout Honey Garlic Chicken 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!
