Irresistible Honey Butter Chicken Recipe – Golden & Sweet Magic

Crispy chicken drizzled with silky honey butter creates a mouthwatering dance of flavors that instantly captivates your senses.

Crunchy exterior gives way to tender meat beneath a golden glaze.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this delectable combination of sweet and savory.

Home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together with minimal ingredients.

One skillet becomes the magic canvas for an irresistible meal that everyone craves.

Simple techniques ensure perfectly cooked chicken with a luxurious coating that feels like culinary magic.

Whip up this recipe and watch hungry faces light up with pure delight.

Honey Butter Chicken That’s a Treat

• Savor Quick Flavors: This honey butter chicken recipe delivers bold taste with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy home cooks wanting delicious meals without complicated steps.
• Customize Your Dish: Easily adjust seasonings or add personal touches like extra garlic or different herbs to match your family's preferences, making it a flexible meal option.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love the sweet and savory combination of honey and butter coating tender chicken, creating a crowd-pleasing dinner that satisfies everyone's taste buds.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using just a few pantry staples like chicken, honey, butter, and garlic, this recipe proves you can create restaurant-quality meals without purchasing specialty ingredients.

Ingredients for Honey Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the primary protein for this flavorful dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking surface and adds a subtle, rich flavor to the chicken.
• Butter: Creates a creamy base for the sauce and adds richness to the overall dish.

• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized coating for the chicken.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent and aromatic depth to the honey butter sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh touch and provides a pop of color to the finished dish.

How to Cook Honey Butter Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Surface

Get a large skillet and drizzle olive oil across the bottom. Set the heat to medium, allowing the oil to spread evenly and create a smooth cooking environment.

Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over both sides of the chicken breasts. Gently place the seasoned chicken into the heated skillet.

Cook each side for 5-6 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown color develops and the chicken is completely cooked through.

Step 3: Create the Honey Butter Sauce

Grab a small saucepan and melt butter completely.

• Honey
• Minced garlic

Stir the mixture continuously and let it simmer for 2 minutes until it transforms into a silky smooth sauce.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Pour the golden honey butter sauce directly over the cooked chicken in the skillet.

Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, using a spoon to repeatedly coat the chicken with the delectable mixture.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Transfer the chicken to serving plates while it’s hot and aromatic.

Tips for Honey Butter Chicken Success

• Opt for chicken breasts of even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a different flavor profile or use agave nectar for a vegan alternative.
• Check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for safe consumption.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior during searing.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce instead of salt to add depth and reduce overall sodium content.

Variations on Honey Butter Chicken

• Spicy Honey Chicken: Replace honey with hot honey and add red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
• Herb-Infused Butter Chicken: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano into the butter sauce for an aromatic flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free tamari instead of regular butter and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap honey with sugar-free maple syrup and serve over cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly alternative.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Butter Chicken

• Weeknight Family Feast: Pair this golden honey butter chicken with fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Elegant Dinner Plate: Slice the chicken and arrange over a bed of crisp mixed green salad, drizzling extra honey butter sauce as a luxurious dressing.
• Game Day Comfort Meal: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve inside warm soft tortillas with a side of tangy coleslaw for a crowd-pleasing twist.
• Meal Prep Champion: Cool the chicken completely, slice, and store in airtight containers with extra sauce for quick, delectable lunch bowls throughout the week.

Storage Tips for Honey Butter Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover honey butter chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store the chicken and sauce separately to keep the crispy texture intact and prevent sogginess.
• Reheat in the microwave by placing chicken on a microwave-safe plate, covering with a damp paper towel, and heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
• For best results, warm the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, which helps restore its original crispy exterior and keeps the meat juicy.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They’re often more flavorful and stay juicier, but adjust cooking time since they might take slightly longer to cook through.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken – it should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The basic ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your butter and honey are pure and haven’t been cross-contaminated during processing. If you’re highly sensitive, always double-check ingredient labels.

Simple Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent honey butter chicken brings together sweet and savory flavors from Southern kitchens. Golden-crusted chicken pieces drizzled with rich honey butter sauce promise a delightful meal you will crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Fats and Sweeteners:

• 1/4 cup (59 ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious cast-iron skillet to medium temperature with olive oil until the surface appears shimmering.
2. Generously season each chicken breast with salt and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage of the meat’s surface.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
4. While chicken cooks, prepare the glaze by melting butter in a separate small saucepan over low heat.
5. Incorporate finely chopped garlic and honey into the melted butter, whisking consistently until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy sauce.
6. Allow the honey butter mixture to gently simmer for 2 minutes, developing deeper flavor complexity.
7. Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken breasts to the saucepan, coating each piece thoroughly with the warm honey butter glaze.
8. Continue simmering the chicken in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, periodically spooning the liquid over the meat to ensure complete coverage.
9. Remove from heat and optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant presentation.
10. Serve immediately while the chicken remains hot and the glaze is at its most succulent.

Notes

• Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption and optimal juiciness.
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust on each chicken breast.
• For a lighter version, substitute butter with olive oil and use a sugar-free honey alternative for diabetic-friendly option.
• Marinate chicken in the honey butter mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg