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Bursting with flavor, this honey butter chicken recipe will quickly become a weeknight favorite! Smothered in a honey butter sauce made with spices, butter, honey, and soy sauce. Made in one pan and ready in 20 minutes, this chicken dish will win the hearts of many!

honey butter chicken topped with sesame seeds.

Table of Contents

You’ll Love This Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

  • Quick and easy one pan meal
  • Extra tender, juicy chicken
  • Super flavorful sweet and sticky honey butter sauce
  • Undeniably crowd pleasing– it will be requested again and again
  • Serve with coconut rice and your favorite vegetable
ingredients for honey butter chicken with overlay text.

Ingredients You Need

  • Chicken: You need 1 pound of chicken, either boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes. If you use chicken thighs the cook time will be less since they are thinner.
  • Flour: I recommend all-purpose flour in this recipe (no others were tested) for coating the chicken. Not only does it give the chicken a lighter breading, it also helps thicken the sauce.
  • Spices: You need just a handful of basic spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if you like some heat.)
  • Olive Oil: Just 2 Tablespoons is needed to brown the chicken.
  • Butter:
  • Honey: The honey adds a wonderful sweetness to the sauce. You want to use a neutral flavor honey for the best results.
  • Soy Sauce: Just 1 Tablespoon adds depth and flavor to the sauce.

#1 Success Tip

Once the chicken is coated in the flour, make sure you shake off the excess flour. While the flour also serves the purpose of thickening the sauce, too much will cause the sauce to become too thick.

cubed chicken seasoned with spices and tossed in flour.
browned cubed chicken seasoned in a skillet.

Overview: How To Make Honey Butter Chicken

  1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and flour until fully coated.
  2. Make the Sauce: Add the butter, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  3. Combine: Add the chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat.
butter, honey, soy sauce, and spices in a skillet.
cooked cubed chicken in a honey butter sauce.

FAQs

What is honey butter sauce made of?

Most honey butter sauces are made with butter, honey, soy sauce, neutral vinegar (like rice wine or white), and red pepper flakes.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely. If you use chicken thighs instead, I recommend cutting into larger pieces (about 2-inch vs. 1-inch). Keep in mind that chicken thighs will have a quicker cook time since they are thinner than chicken breast.

More Savory Chicken Recipes

honey butter chicken topped with sesame seeds on a plate with a fork.
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Honey Butter Chicken

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Bursting with flavor, this honey butter chicken recipe will quickly become a weeknight favorite! Smothered in a honey butter sauce made with spices, butter, honey, and soy sauce. Made in one pan and ready in 20 minutes, this chicken dish will win the hearts of many!
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Ingredients

Chicken

Honey Butter Sauce

  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions
 

  • In medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the cubed chicken and toss until fully coated.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off the excess flour and add the chicken. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, about 3-4 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden brown on the outside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set on a plate.
  • Add the butter, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a rolling boil, continuously whisking for 2 minutes, then reduce to a simmer for 1 minute. Add the chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat, and cook for 1 minute.
  • Serve over rice and topped with sesame seeds. Leftovers stay fresh covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

  1. Make Ahead Instructions: The chicken can be prepped and seasoned cubed in 1-inch pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (save coating with flour before cooking). Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  2. Freezing Instructions: The chicken can be prepped and seasoned cubed in 1-inch pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (save coating with flour before cooking). Store in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
  3. Chicken: You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. If using chicken thighs the cook time will be less.
Calories: 428kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 118mg, Sodium: 968mg, Potassium: 472mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 559IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: Chinese
Course: Main Course
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Author

  • Allie is the creator and owner of Baking a Moment. She has been developing, photographing, videographing, and writing and sharing recipes here since 2012.

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