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Juicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

Juicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
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Juicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts deliver a perfect balance of sweet honey and rich garlic, creating a tender, flavorful dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. Ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep, this recipe features a savory-sweet glaze that locks in moisture to keep chicken breasts juicy and delicious. Versatile and kid-friendly, it’s great for customizable variations and pairs well with a variety of sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for searing
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prep and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure the marinade adheres well and to help achieve a nice sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavor.
  2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice. Mix thoroughly to create a well-balanced savory-sweet sauce.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil. Place the chicken breasts in the pan undisturbed and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes to lock in the juices.
  4. Add the Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, spooning the sauce over the chicken continuously, allowing it to thicken and deeply infuse the meat with flavor.
  5. Finish and Rest: Once the sauce has thickened into a sticky glaze and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F), remove the skillet from heat. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to redistribute juices and enhance tenderness before serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juicier meat.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure proper searing and caramelization.
  • Adjust the amount of honey to control sweetness in the glaze.
  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
  • Allow chicken to rest before slicing to retain its juices.
  • Optional variations include adding chili paste or Sriracha for heat, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for aroma, substituting soy sauce with tamari for gluten-free needs, and adding brown sugar or maple syrup for a thicker glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, juicy chicken breasts, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten free chicken, savory sweet chicken

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/juicy-honey-garlic-chicken-breasts/