Sticky Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Sticky Honey Butter Chicken is a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken thighs are pan-fried to crispy perfection and coated in a luscious honey butter glaze that’s simply irresistible. This dish is perfect for busy cooks who want something sweet, savory, and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless skinless, cut into 2” pieces)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp flour (gluten-free option: Bob’s 1-to-1 flour)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 3 garlic cloves (sliced thinly)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter
• Finely chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the chicken thighs into 2-inch bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture until lightly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for about 8 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat and add the cold butter to the pan. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to create the sauce. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of water (about 2 tablespoons).
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the sticky honey butter sauce.
6. Step 6: Garnish with finely chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Tips & Variations

• To achieve extra crispy chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the pan when cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Use cold butter when making the sauce for a silky, glossy finish that coats the chicken beautifully.
• Try substituting honey with hot honey for a sweet and spicy twist that even kids will enjoy.
• Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce gets too thick while cooking.

Storage

Store any leftover honey butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying out, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful when cooked this way. If using breasts, be careful not to overcook them to avoid dryness.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you use a gluten-free flour substitute like Bob’s 1-to-1 flour and tamari instead of soy sauce, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free.

Sticky Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 55 reviews

Sticky Honey Butter Chicken is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender boneless skinless chicken thighs pan-fried to golden crispiness and coated in a luscious, glossy honey butter glaze with a subtle garlic kick. This Asian-inspired dish balances sweet and savory notes perfectly and comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Mains
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Coating

• 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless skinless, cut into 2” pieces
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp flour (Bob’s gluten free 1 to 1 works well)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Sauce and Cooking

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter
• Optional: splash (about 2 tbsp) water to thin the sauce

Garnish

• Finely chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into 2-inch bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss the chicken pieces thoroughly in the mixture until they are lightly and evenly coated.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding to ensure maximum crispiness. Cook for about 8 minutes on one side until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for another 8 minutes on the other side. Once cooked and crisp, remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Add the Garlic: Add the sliced garlic cloves to the now empty skillet and cook for about 1 minute over medium heat until fragrant and slightly golden, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Make the Honey Butter Sauce: Lower the heat and add the cold unsalted butter to the skillet. Once the butter begins to melt, stir in the honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Optionally add a splash (about 2 tablespoons) of water to adjust the sauce consistency. Stir continuously to combine and let the sauce become smooth and glossy.
5. Toss the Chicken in Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Toss well to coat all pieces thoroughly in the sticky honey butter sauce.
6. Serve: Garnish the glazed chicken with finely chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your sticky honey butter chicken!

Notes

• For crispy chicken, ensure the pieces are well coated in the dry mixture and cook them in a single layer without crowding the pan.
• Use cold butter when adding to the pan to create a silky and glossy sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
• You can add about 2 tablespoons of water to the sauce if it is too thick to help thin it out and make coating easier.
• Using tamari instead of soy sauce makes the dish gluten free.
• To enhance texture, make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken to get that perfect golden sear.

Keywords: Honey Butter Chicken, Sticky Chicken Thighs, Pan-Fried Chicken, Quick Dinner, Asian Chicken Recipe