Name: Honey Glazed Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 6 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs (approximately 2 pounds); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ⅓ cup honey (clover or wildflower); ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 2 teaspoons grated ginger; 2 tablespoons canola oil; ½ to 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Honey Glazed Chicken on a plate with rice

Honey glazed chicken is sweet, savory, and ready in just thirty minutes. This easy recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken every time!

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Table of Contents

Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make Honey Glazed Chicken
Why You'll Love This Recipe for Honey Glazed Chicken
Recipe FAQ
Serving FAQ
Storage FAQ
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Table of Contents

Honey chicken bursts with flavor in every bite! Sweet, sticky, and a little bit savory, this chicken recipe cooks up tender and juicy. In just thirty minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal that everyone will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or special dinners, honey glazed chicken will become a favorite.

This recipe is simple to make, with easy-to-follow steps below. You’ll find helpful step-by-step photos, cooking tips, and pro tricks to ensure the best results. Plus, we've answered all your frequently asked questions for smooth and delicious cooking!

More Recipes ⭐ Honey Glazed Pork Chops | Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls | Balsamic Pork Chops

Honey glazed chicken takes only 30 minutes to make, delivering a deliciously sweet and savory dish that’s perfect for any dinner. The sticky honey glaze brings out rich flavors, making each bite unforgettable.

This recipe works for family meals, potlucks, or even special gatherings, adding a touch of homemade goodness to your table. Try this recipe at home for a quick, crowd-pleasing dish everyone will love!

Ingredients

What you'll need to make this Honey Glazed Chicken recipe:

6 pieces (approximately 2 pounds) of boneless skinless chicken thighs
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
⅓ cup of honey (clover or wildflower)
½ cup of low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon of seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
2 teaspoons of grated ginger
2 tablespoons of canola oil
½ to 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional garnish

Substitutions and Additions

Make your honey glazed chicken your own by swapping ingredients and adding tasty extras! These easy changes make your chicken uniquely delicious. Here are some top substitutions and additions:

Add Chili Flakes: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a spicy twist that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of honey glaze for chicken.

Substitute Honey: Use maple syrup or agave nectar for a different sweetness in your honey glazed chicken.

Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the glaze for an extra kick of flavor in your honey glazed chicken.

Substitute Soy Sauce: Try tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or slightly sweeter taste in your honey glazed chicken.

How to Make Honey Glazed Chicken

Follow along with our pictures, instructions, and helpful tips below. Let’s get started on this delicious honey glazed chicken recipe! You'll love how easy it is to make.

Pro Tip

If you want to enhance the flavor of the dish, you can marinate the chicken thighs in the honey sauce for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

FIRST STEP: Coat the fronts and backs of the boneless skinless chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. You can trim any excess fat from each piece if needed.

Pro Tip

It’s important to remove the excess fat for a better texture and flavor. A sharp knife or even kitchen shears will make removing the fat quick and easy.

chicken thighs coated with salt and pepper

SECOND STEP: Add the chicken thighs and cornstarch to a large zip-top bag. Close the bag and shake the chicken around in the cornstarch until all the chicken thigh pieces are lightly coated with cornstarch.

Pro Tip

Coating the chicken thighs in the cornstarch before browning them gives them a light coating that the honey sauce sticks to beautifully.

The cornstarch also helps to thicken up the sauce when cooked. As it cools, it gives the honey sauce that beautiful thick glaze texture.

chicken thighs covered with cornstarch in a bowl

THIRD STEP: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, seasoned rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set aside.

honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic and ginger added in a bowl

FOURTH STEP: Add the canola oil to an extra-large, heavy-duty skillet on medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, lay three of your chicken thighs flat into the hot skillet, being sure not to overcrowd the skillet.

If your chicken pieces are smaller, you may not need to cook and brown your chicken thighs in two separate batches.

Pro Tip

It’s really important not to overcrowd the skillet when browning the chicken thighs. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of achieving a nice golden crust.

FIFTH STEP: Cook and brown your chicken thighs for four to five minutes on each side or until you get a light golden crust.

Remove the browned chicken thighs to a plate and repeat steps 3 & 4 with the remaining pieces of chicken.

SIXTH STEP: Once all your chicken thighs have been browned, return the pieces from the plate back to the skillet.

Include any juices from the chicken (lots of flavors in those juices), and turn your heat down to medium.

SEVENTH STEP: Pour the reserved honey sauce mixture into the skillet, being sure to cover the chicken thighs, and cook the sauce for three to five minutes or until thickened.

Spoon the honey sauce over the chicken as it is bubbling and thickening to a glaze-like texture.

Ensure that your chicken thighs are fully covered and coated with the sauce.

pouring honey sauce into the skillet with chicken thighs

EIGHTH STEP: Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the honey glazed chicken thighs to rest and the sauce to continue to thicken for three to four minutes before plating the chicken and serving.

You can add a sprinkle of sesame seeds to the chicken once plated if desired.

Pro Tip

Allowing the chicken to rest for three to four minutes will allow the sauce to thicken and enhance the flavors, as well as make sure the chicken is nice and juicy.

Save the excess honey garlic sauce from the skillet to add over the plated chicken for extra flavor.

Honey Glazed Chicken on a plate with a fork

How To Serve Honey Glazed Chicken

This honey glazed chicken works for any occasion, making it a real pleaser for both kids and adults alike. Whether it's a family dinner or a special event, here are some fun ways to serve it!

Family Dinner Night: Honey glazed chicken brings big smiles to family dinners with its sweet and savory flavors. Pair it with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots for a hearty meal everyone loves.
Holiday Gatherings and Potlucks: This dish shines at holiday gatherings or potlucks, adding a flavorful twist to any spread. Serve with smothered green beans and warm dinner rolls for a festive touch.
Summer BBQs or Picnics: Enjoy honey glazed chicken at summer BBQs or picnics—it’s easy to make and delicious hot or cold. Try serving it with coleslaw and corn on the cob for a perfect outdoor feast.

Honey Glazed Chicken served with rice and greens veggies on a plate

Why You'll Love This Recipe for Honey Glazed Chicken

Honey-glazed chicken is a beloved favorite for so many delicious reasons that our readers can’t get enough of:

A Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory: This recipe combines the sweetness of honey with a touch of savory soy sauce for an irresistible flavor blend. Every bite delights with a taste that’s both familiar and exciting.
Quick and Simple to Make: With just 30 minutes needed, this honey glazed chicken fits perfectly into busy days. It’s quick, easy, and brings big flavor to the table without a fuss.
Versatile for Any Occasion: From family dinners to potlucks, this dish’s crowd-pleasing flavors make it work anywhere. Kids and adults alike love the comforting and satisfying taste.

This glazed honey chicken recipe will be a go-to favorite for adding a little extra love to any meal.

Recipe FAQ

How do I keep the glaze from burning?
Cook the chicken over medium heat and watch closely. Stir the glaze regularly to prevent sticking or burning.

Can I use skinless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, skinless chicken works well and absorbs the honey glaze beautifully. Just keep an eye on cooking times for tenderness.

How can I make the glaze thicker?
To thicken the glaze, let it simmer for a few extra minutes until it reduces to your preferred consistency.

What cut of chicken works best for honey glazed chicken?
Both chicken thighs and breasts work great, but thighs offer juicier, more tender bites in each serving.

Serving FAQ

How do I keep the glaze from burning?
Use medium heat and stir the glaze often. This keeps it from sticking and burning on the pan.

Can I use skinless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, skinless chicken absorbs the honey glaze well! Watch the cooking time to keep it juicy and tender.

How can I make the glaze thicker?
To thicken, simmer the glaze for a few extra minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.

What cut of chicken works best for honey glazed chicken?
Both thighs and breasts work well, but chicken thighs stay extra juicy and tender with the honey glaze.

a close up photo of Honey Glazed Chicken

Storage FAQ

How do I keep the glaze from burning?
Use medium heat and stir the glaze often. This keeps it from sticking and burning on the pan.

Can I use skinless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, skinless chicken absorbs the honey glaze well! Watch the cooking time to keep it juicy and tender.

How can I make the glaze thicker?
To thicken, simmer the glaze for a few extra minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.

What cut of chicken works best for honey glazed chicken?
Both thighs and breasts work well, but chicken thighs stay extra juicy and tender with the honey glaze.