Tender Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Irresistible Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe for Dinner Magic

Succulent chicken takes on a mouthwatering honey garlic glaze that instantly sparks dinner excitement.

Home cooks adore this simple yet flavorful dish that brings restaurant-quality meals to your table.

The golden-brown edges and glossy coating promise a delectable experience with every bite.

Bursting with sweet and savory notes, this recipe turns an ordinary weeknight meal into something special.

Aromatic garlic mingles perfectly with rich honey, creating a sauce that clings beautifully to juicy chicken pieces.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to be the culinary hero at your dinner table with this irresistible chicken masterpiece.

Serve Baked Honey Garlic Chicken For Any Meal

  • Flavor Fusion Plate: Serve this honey garlic chicken over fluffy white rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce and create a complete meal.
  • Veggie Companion Side: Roast colorful vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers alongside the chicken for a balanced and nutritious dinner that adds vibrant texture and extra nutrients.
  • Garnish Delight: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions or parsley on top of the chicken just before serving to add a bright, fresh element and enhance the visual appeal of the dish.
  • Sauce Drizzle Technique: Spoon extra honey garlic sauce over the plated chicken to intensify the flavors and ensure every bite is packed with sweet and savory goodness.

Store Baked Honey Garlic Chicken And Keep It Juicy

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container seals tightly to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Freezing Wisdom: Wrap individual chicken pieces in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen chicken maintains excellent quality for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated chicken in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy texture. Sprinkle a few drops of water or chicken broth before reheating to prevent dryness and help retain juiciness.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Prepare extra chicken during cooking and slice it for quick salads, wraps, or grain bowls throughout the week. Cool completely before storing to maintain food safety and prevent condensation buildup.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 5

Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredient Breakdown

For Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender meat that soaks up the honey garlic glaze beautifully, selecting fresh, plump cuts for the most succulent results.
For Coating and Seasoning:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Classic flavor enhancers that awaken the chicken's natural taste.
  • Paprika: Adds warm, slightly smoky undertones with a gorgeous reddish color.
  • Garlic Powder: Intensifies the garlic flavor without raw garlic's sharp bite.
  • Cornstarch: Creates a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and helps the seasoning stick.
For Cooking and Flavor:
  • Olive Oil: High-quality oil for perfect searing, bringing out a gorgeous golden-brown color and rich flavor.
  • Honey: Natural sweetener that caramelizes beautifully, creating a glossy, sticky glaze.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves provide robust, aromatic flavor that complements the honey's sweetness.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth, umami, and a savory balance to the sweet honey.

What Tools Help With Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken to golden perfection.
  • Baking dish: Needed for oven-baking chicken; can be greased or lined with parchment paper.
  • Paper towels: Used to pat chicken dry before seasoning.
  • Tongs: Helpful for flipping and handling chicken during searing.
  • Measuring spoons: For accurately measuring salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  • Cornstarch container: To coat chicken before cooking.

Steps To Cook Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Fast

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and give your baking dish a quick spray or parchment paper lining for easy cleanup.

  • Get Chicken Ready

Grab your chicken pieces and give them a quick pat-down with paper towels. Sprinkle on some salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder for a flavor explosion.

  • Create a Crispy Coating

Dust the chicken with a light layer of cornstarch, letting any extra fall off. This secret trick will make your chicken super crispy.

  • Sizzle and Brown

Heat up some olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken and let it dance around for about 2-3 minutes on each side until it’s got a gorgeous golden tan.

  • Bake to Perfection

Transfer those golden beauties to your prepared baking dish and slide them into the waiting oven. Let them bake for around 20-25 minutes until they’re cooked through and singing with flavor.

Tips For Sticky-Sweet Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Moisture Matters: Always thoroughly pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden exterior that locks in juicy flavors.
  • Cornstarch Crunch: The light cornstarch coating creates an incredible crispy texture and helps the honey garlic sauce cling beautifully to each piece.
  • Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally for safe, perfectly cooked results every time.
  • Sauce Flexibility: Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweet profile or use low-sodium soy sauce for a reduced-salt version that's equally delicious.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Replace cornstarch with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly version that maintains the recipe's signature crispiness.
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Tender Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Tender Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent honey garlic chicken delivers a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors from Chinese-inspired cuisine. Home cooks can effortlessly create this simple yet delectable meal with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation, making you crave another bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) or 6 chicken thighs
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 tbsps green onions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C), line baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease to prevent sticking.
  2. Chicken Preparation: Pat chicken pieces completely dry using paper towels to guarantee a crisp, golden exterior during cooking.
  3. Seasoning Process: Create a flavor profile by massaging salt, ground black pepper, smoky paprika, and garlic powder into chicken’s surface, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  4. Cornstarch Coating: Delicately dust chicken with cornstarch, gently shaking off excess to prevent uneven clumping and promote optimal browning.
  5. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then strategically sear chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side to develop a rich, caramelized crust.
  6. Initial Baking Setup: Transfer seared chicken to prepared baking dish, maintaining space between pieces to facilitate uniform heat distribution and even cooking.
  7. Sauce Application: Generously drizzle honey garlic sauce over chicken, ensuring comprehensive and balanced glaze coverage that will caramelize beautifully during roasting.
  8. Final Roasting Stage: Bake in preheated oven until chicken reaches safe internal temperature and develops a glossy, appetizing exterior, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  9. Resting Period: Allow chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from oven, enabling juice redistribution and completion of the cooking process.

Notes

  • Moisture Matters: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in flavor and prevents soggy results.
  • Cornstarch Technique: Apply a light, even cornstarch dusting to create a delicate protective layer that ensures extra crispiness and helps the sauce adhere perfectly to the chicken.
  • Heat Management: Sear chicken at medium-high heat to develop a beautiful golden crust without burning, which adds depth of flavor and creates an appealing texture.
  • Sauce Distribution: Ensure even sauce coating by drizzling honey garlic mixture thoroughly, allowing each piece to caramelize uniformly and prevent dry spots during baking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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