FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken
• Recipe Variations
• Serving Ideas
• More Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes
• My Favorite Skillet For This Recipe
• Honey Garlic Chicken (25-Minute Dinner!) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

My honey garlic chicken recipe is a sweet and savory twist on classic pan seared chicken recipes. The added sweetness of honey and subtle kick from the red pepper flakes give the dish an extra pop of flavor. Imagine golden, juicy chicken breast seared in garlic butter, then simmered in a warm honey sauce — it’s simply irresistible. Make it with me!

Why You Need My Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Juicy, tender chicken in sweet, garlicky sauce – My simple 5-ingredient honey garlic sauce is a gamechanger for this chicken! If you like my sriracha chicken , garlic butter chicken , or teriyaki chicken , this one takes a little inspiration from all 3.
• Natural ingredients – You don’t need any cornstarch or cornstarch substitutes to thicken this sauce. It’s naturally gluten-free, and unbelievably, has no added sugar!
• Quick and easy – You can have this easy, healthy dinner recipe on the table in less than 30 minutes. That’s always a win in my book.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my garlic honey chicken recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Honey Garlic Chicken:

• Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can also make this honey garlic chicken recipe using boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Bone-in chicken breasts or thighs would also work, but will take longer to cook. I kept the chicken whole, but you could cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes before cooking if you like. If you want to change up the protein, check out my honey garlic pork chops or honey garlic shrimp !
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• Unsalted Butter – For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with additional olive oil.
• Garlic – I minced fresh garlic cloves, but you could use 2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic for convenience. Some grated fresh ginger would also make a nice addition at the same time.
• Olive Oil – I usually choose extra-virgin olive oil here, but any neutral cooking oil, such as regular olive oil or avocado oil, will work.
• Coconut Aminos – This is a gluten-free soy sauce substitute . If you’re not sensitive to soy, you can simply use regular soy sauce or tamari.
• Honey – Adds sweetness and honey flavor! You can use regular honey, but I like to use zero sugar honey .
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a tangy twist. You can also use lemon juice, white wine vinegar, or rice vinegar as substitutes if needed.
• Red Pepper Flakes – The amount in the recipe makes this dish moderately spicy. Use up to 1 teaspoon or eliminate altogether depending on your spice preference. You can also substitute sriracha or another chili sauce.

Optional Garnish:

• Sesame Seeds – Adds a nutty, crunchy texture and earthy taste.
• Green Onions – Brings a fresh, light onion flavor and a pop of color.

How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season the chicken. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the chicken. Heat the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.

TIP: Use a meat thermometer.

Make sure the the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer .

1. Make the honey sauce. While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
2. Saute the garlic. Reduce heat. Add garlic to the pan and cook until fragrant.

1. Add the sauce. Pour in the sauce and stir well. Bring to a simmer, then let the sauce cook until thickened.
2. Garnish. Remove from heat. Garnish honey garlic chicken with sesame seeds and green onion if desired. Spoon remaining sauce over the chicken when serving.

Recipe Variations

• Crock Pot – For a more hands-off method, make Crock Pot honey garlic chicken. Just pat the chicken dry, season it, and place in the slow cooker. Whisk together the honey sauce, pour over the chicken, and cook for 6-8 hours on low. The sauce will be more runny this way, but it’s much easier and still delicious!
• Wings – Cook air fryer chicken wings or baked chicken wings , then whisk together olive oil, coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Toss the wings in the sauce.
• Baked – For baked honey garlic chicken, follow my recipe for juicy baked chicken breasts . Then, whisk together olive oil, coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl and simmer in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Pour it over your baked chicken halfway through baking.
• Bone-in – For garlic honey chicken thighs, cook pan fried chicken thighs , but instead of adding broth and butter, add the honey sauce from this recipe. You can also cook bone-in chicken breasts, but the time will take longer.

Serving Ideas

Chicken is so versatile and pairs with a variety of different sides. From veggies to starches, here are my favorite sides to pair with this honey garlic chicken breast recipe:

• Vegetables – Roasted vegetables are a great accompaniment. Try lightly sweet Japanese turnips , caramelized roasted carrots and parsnips , or simple roasted broccoli . But for a classic meal, make a veggie stir fry .
• Potatoes – Air fry baked potatoes or roast potatoes while you cook honey garlic chicken on the stovetop. For a lighter option, try roasted rutabaga .
• Rice – A simple side of white or brown rice would be delicious (shown in photos). If you need a less starchy option, try cauliflower fried rice or plain cauliflower rice .
• Simple Salads – Chop it up while this dish cooks! Try a smashed cucumber salad or fast Asian-inspired cabbage salad .
• Soup – For a classic Asian-inspired meal, serve with egg drop soup as an appetizer.
• Salad – You can go with a classic Asian smashed cucumber salad or make a refreshing mandarin orange salad for a sweeter option.

More Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes

Looking for more easy chicken recipes with Asian flavors? Check out these never-boring recipes for chicken that will upgrade your weeknight dinners:

My Favorite Skillet For This Recipe

My favorite cast iron skillet is pictured above! It’s beautiful from stovetop to table, and heats evenly for a quick and even sear on your chicken.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Honey Garlic Chicken:

• 4 6-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts ( or boneless chicken thighs) ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter (or olive oil) ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/4 cup Coconut aminos (or low sodium soy sauce) ▢
• 1/2 cup Honey (either regular honey or sugar-free honey ) ▢
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar ▢
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional) ▢

Optional Garnishes:

• Sesame seeds ▢
• Green onions (sliced thinly) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
3. While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add the garlic to the center of the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add in the sauce and stir well. Bring to a simmer, then let the sauce cook down for about 5 minutes , stirring occasionally, until thickened.
5. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion if desired. Spoon remaining sauce over the chicken when serving.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken breast with honey garlic sauce

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-20 minutes or microwave on medium until warm.
• Freeze: Freeze in a bag with the air removed for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Note on nutrition info: The nutrition info uses sugar-free honey (sugar content is much higher using regular honey), and does not include optional garnishes.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Honey Garlic Chicken (25-Minute Dinner!)

With sweet honey and a kick of red pepper flakes, this honey garlic chicken recipe creates restaurant-style flavor in less than 30 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/honey-garlic-chicken/

Ingredients

Honey Garlic Chicken:

• 4 6-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts ( or boneless chicken thighs)
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter (or olive oil)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/4 cup Coconut aminos (or low sodium soy sauce)
• 1/2 cup Honey (either regular honey or sugar-free honey )
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Garnishes:

• Sesame seeds
• Green onions (sliced thinly)

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
3. While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add the garlic to the center of the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add in the sauce and stir well. Bring to a simmer, then let the sauce cook down for about 5 minutes , stirring occasionally, until thickened.
5. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion if desired. Spoon remaining sauce over the chicken when serving.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken breast with honey garlic sauce

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-20 minutes or microwave on medium until warm.
• Freeze: Freeze in a bag with the air removed for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Note on nutrition info: The nutrition info uses sugar-free honey (sugar content is much higher using regular honey), and does not include optional garnishes.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)