Description
Succulent honey garlic chicken delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy golden edges and rich glazed coating make this quick dinner an irresistible comfort meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 lb chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl, whisking until the sauce is thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Pat chicken breasts and thighs dry with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning absorption and better browning.
- Place chicken pieces in a large marinating container, then pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the meat, ensuring each piece is completely coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to penetrate the chicken deeply.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the remaining sauce for later basting.
- Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on a lined baking sheet, maintaining space between each piece for even cooking.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, brushing with reserved marinade every 10 minutes to enhance moisture and flavor intensity.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds over the chicken before serving.
- Drizzle any remaining sauce from the baking sheet over the chicken for extra flavor punch.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly dried before marinating to achieve better caramelization and crispier exterior during baking.
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 2 hours to prevent the meat from becoming too salty or tough.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness and avoid overcooking, which can lead to dry chicken.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 386
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 648 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg