Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Honey Butter Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish that’s quick to make and perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken pieces are coated, fried to a golden crisp, and then coated in a rich, caramel-like honey butter sauce. This comforting meal pairs wonderfully with rice and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp canola oil (or any light oil)
• 1 tbsp green onions, sliced
• 5 tbsp butter, room temperature
• ½ cup honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until they are thoroughly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp canola oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Shake off excess flour from the chicken and arrange it in a single layer in the skillet. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Step 3: Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 5 tbsp butter to the skillet and let it melt. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp ground black pepper.
4. Step 4: Stir the sauce continuously over low heat until it thickens to a smooth, caramel-like consistency. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat completely in the sauce. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with white rice and sautéed green beans for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in the flour mixture before frying.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level, or omit for a milder dish.
• Try adding a splash of lemon juice to the sauce for a tangy twist.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful bites.

Storage

Store leftover Honey Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to preserve the sauce’s smooth texture. Avoid microwaving at high power to prevent the sauce from separating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking and proper coating. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before preparing.

Is this dish spicy?

This recipe has a mild heat from cayenne pepper, but the sweetness of the honey balances it out. You can reduce or omit the cayenne if you prefer no heat at all.

Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 135 reviews

This Honey Butter Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces lightly coated in a flavorful seasoned flour mix, pan-fried to golden perfection, and then coated in a luscious honey butter sauce with a hint of soy and apple cider vinegar. Served best with white rice and sautéed green beans, it’s a comforting dish combining sweet and savory flavors that come together effortlessly in a skillet.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Chicken Coating

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces

For Frying

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp canola oil (or any light oil)

Honey Butter Sauce

• 5 tbsp butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Garnish

• 1 tbsp green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until thoroughly coated with the seasoning mixture.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat unsalted butter and canola oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Shake off any excess flour from the chicken pieces and arrange them evenly in a single layer in the skillet. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Prepare the Honey Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and ground black pepper.
4. Cook the Sauce and Coat the Chicken: Continuously stir the sauce over low heat until it thickens to a smooth, caramel-like consistency. Return the fried chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to fully coat them with the honey butter sauce. Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
5. Serve: Transfer the honey butter chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve alongside white rice and sautéed green beans for a complete meal.

Notes

• For best results, use a cast iron skillet to achieve an even fry and sauce consistency.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to your preferred spice level.
• You can substitute chicken thighs if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
• Ensure the butter used for the sauce is at room temperature for smoother melting.
• Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently.

Keywords: Honey Butter Chicken, Fried Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe, Skillet Chicken