Easy 20-min. Honey Garlic Chicken
When you need dinner on the table fast, this easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is the perfect solution. Ready in just 20 minutes, this one-pan chicken recipe features juicy pan-fried chicken coated in a thick, sticky honey garlic sauce made with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 4 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tsp vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoon water room temperature
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil toasted kind
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs bone-side up on a cutting board. Locate the center bone and make small cuts around it until the bone pulls free.
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry on both sides with paper towels to remove surface moisture.
- Coat both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Combine the honey garlic sauce ingredients as listed above in a small bowl. Stir until dissolved.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken skin-side down and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Reduce heat to low-medium. Pour the sauce into the pan around the chicken and allow it to thicken. Flip the thighs skin-side down for 15 seconds to coat, then return them skin-side up and garnish with green onions.
Notes
Be sure to pat the chicken completely dry to achieve crispy skin. Monitor the heat to prevent the sauce from burning. Using uniform-sized chicken pieces ensures even cooking. Consider a digital meat thermometer for perfect results every time.