The Sweet Kiss of Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Sweet, crispy chicken drizzled with honey butter glaze promises a mouthwatering adventure that will leave you craving more.

Southern-style honey butter chicken delivers comfort and flavor in every delectable bite.

The golden-brown exterior gives way to tender, juicy meat that melts on your tongue.

Rich, buttery notes dance with sweet honey, creating a harmonious blend of tastes that elevate this classic dish.

Each forkful brings a delightful combination of textures and flavors that comfort and excite the palate.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will impress even the most discerning food enthusiasts.

Prepare to savor a meal that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

What Makes Honey Butter Chicken Special

• Quick and Easy Cooking: Whip up this delectable honey butter chicken in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: Experience a mouthwatering combination of sweet honey, savory butter, and perfectly seasoned chicken that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
• Versatile Dish: Adaptable to different sides and easily customizable, this recipe works great for family dinners, casual gatherings, or a delightful solo meal that feels like a restaurant-quality treat.
• One-Pan Dish: Minimize cleanup with this skillet-based recipe that allows you to cook and create a delicious sauce in the same pan, saving time and reducing kitchen mess.

Ingredients in Honey Butter Chicken

• Chicken: Tender pieces perfect for a delicious meal.

• Flour: Powdery base for crispy chicken coating.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Aromatic seasonings for extra flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper: Spicy kick for the dish.
• Salt: Essential seasoning for balanced taste.

• Butter, Oil: Helps create golden-brown and crispy chicken.

• Honey: Sweet golden liquid for sticky glaze.
• Soy Sauce: Savory umami flavor enhancer.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy ingredient for balanced sauce.

• Green Onions: Fresh and zesty topping for final touch.
• Ginger Rice: Complementary side dish.
• Green Beans: Nutritious vegetable accompaniment.

How to Make Honey Butter Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

Mix a blend of dry ingredients including flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.

Add diced chicken and thoroughly coat each piece, ensuring complete coverage with the seasoned flour mixture.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown Chicken

Heat a combination of butter and oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place chicken pieces in a single layer, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked and has a crispy, delicious crust.

Step 3: Create Honey Butter Glaze

In the same skillet used for cooking chicken, melt additional butter.

Introduce honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar to create a rich, glossy sauce.

Stir continuously over low heat for 1-2 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens and develops a beautiful, silky consistency.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Gently return the cooked chicken pieces back into the skillet.

Carefully toss and coat each piece with the warm honey butter sauce, ensuring every morsel is generously covered.

Allow the chicken to rest in the sauce for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Finish and Plate

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions over the glazed chicken for a pop of color and added flavor.

Serve alongside fluffy ginger rice and sautéed green beans for a complete, mouth-watering meal that’s sure to impress.

Smart Tips for Honey Butter Chicken

• Use a mix of all-purpose and cornstarch flour for extra crispiness on the chicken surface.
• Adjust cayenne pepper based on heat preference – reduce for mild, increase for spicy kick.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before coating to ensure maximum crunch and prevent water retention during frying.
• Simmer honey butter sauce slowly to develop rich flavors and achieve perfect thick glaze without burning.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe and juicy results.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Chicken

• Store leftover honey butter chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes to maintain moisture.
• Heat chicken in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• If sauce separates during storage, whisk briefly when reheating to restore original consistency and flavor.

Good Pairings for Honey Butter Chicken

• Elevate Flavor Pairing: Crisp Riesling
• Pair the sweet and savory honey butter chicken with a chilled Riesling. The wine's slight sweetness and bright acidity perfectly complement the rich, buttery chicken, cutting through the richness while enhancing the honey's sweetness.
• Complementary Side Dish: Ginger-Infused Rice
• Create a ginger rice that echoes the dish's subtle spice profile. The aromatic ginger adds a warm, zesty note that harmonizes with the honey butter sauce, creating a cohesive and satisfying meal experience.
• Texture Balance: Crunchy Asian Slaw
• Add a tangy, crunchy Asian-style coleslaw alongside the chicken. The fresh, crisp vegetables provide a refreshing contrast to the tender, saucy chicken, balancing the dish's richness with a light, zingy element.
• Cooling Accompaniment: Cucumber Salad
• Prepare a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil. Its cool, light texture and subtle tang will refresh the palate between bites of the rich, sweet chicken, creating a well-rounded dining experience.

Different Ways to Enjoy Honey Butter Chicken

• Gluten-Free Honey Butter Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy chicken texture.
• Spicy Asian Variation: Add sriracha or chili oil to the honey butter sauce for extra heat and depth of flavor.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Swap flour coating with crushed pork rinds or almond flour, using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to reduce carbohydrates.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter, and substitute honey with maple syrup for those with dairy restrictions.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of other chicken cuts?

Yes, chicken breasts work perfectly. Just ensure they are cut into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking and coat them thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The cayenne pepper adds a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount to your preference. For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne completely.

• What type of pan works best for this recipe?

A cast-iron skillet is ideal because it provides even heat distribution and helps create a golden-brown crust on the chicken. However, a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan will also work well.

• Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the regular flour with gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt for those with dietary restrictions.

Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering honey butter chicken elevates comfort food with its golden, crispy exterior and luscious sweet-savory glaze. Juicy chicken pieces glazed in rich honey butter sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) chicken breasts, diced
• 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour

Seasoning Blend:

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 tablespoon green onions, sliced (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a seasoned flour mixture by combining garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
2. Dice the chicken into uniform pieces and thoroughly coat each morsel with the spiced flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Select a cast-iron skillet and heat a combination of butter and oil over medium temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
4. Arrange the floured chicken pieces in a single layer within the hot skillet, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Carefully transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a temporary plate, maintaining its crispy exterior.
6. Without cleaning the skillet, reduce the heat and introduce additional butter, creating a rich base for the sauce.
7. Pour honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar into the skillet, whisking gently to integrate the liquids and create a glossy, cohesive sauce.
8. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop a luxurious consistency.
9. Reintroduce the cooked chicken into the skillet, gently tumbling the pieces to ensure complete sauce coverage.
10. Allow the chicken to rest in the sauce for 5 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and penetrate the crispy exterior.
11. Garnish the dish with delicately sliced green onions for a fresh, aromatic finish.
12. Serve alongside ginger-infused rice and sautéed green beans for a complete, harmonious meal.

Notes

• Choose a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and a crispy chicken exterior that locks in maximum flavor.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before coating to ensure the flour mixture adheres perfectly and creates a crunchier texture.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization for mild or bold palates.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for those with dietary restrictions without compromising the dish’s delicious profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg