Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Honey Butter Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful honey butter sauce. It’s easy to make and perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or casual dinner with friends.

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 tbsps 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 evenly coated with the flour mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat the butter and oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Shake off any excess flour from the chicken pieces, then add them in a single layer. 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 and add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp ground black pepper.
4. Step 4: Stir the sauce over low heat continuously until it thickens to a smooth, caramel-like consistency. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve alongside white rice and sautéed green beans for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken in the flour mixture before frying.
• Swap chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you prefer a bit more heat.
• Use honey mustard instead of honey for a tangier twist.

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 keep the sauce from separating, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.

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 to ensure even cooking and proper coating. If using frozen chicken, thaw completely before starting.

Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a mild kick from cayenne pepper, but it’s generally mild and sweet. Adjust the cayenne or add chili flakes if you prefer more heat.

Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 74 reviews

Honey Butter Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a spiced flour mixture, pan-fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a rich, smooth honey butter sauce. This savory and sweet combination makes for a comforting and irresistible meal best served with white rice and sautéed green beans.

• Author: Anna
• 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 and Coating

• 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

Cooking and Sauce

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp canola oil (or any light oil)
• 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
• 1 tbsp green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated with the flour mixture.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, shaking off any excess flour. Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare the Honey Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. In the same skillet, add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Continuously stir the sauce over low heat until it thickens to a smooth, caramel-like consistency. Add the fried chicken back into the skillet, tossing to coat each piece thoroughly in the honey butter sauce. Once fully coated, turn off the heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
5. Serve: Transfer the honey butter chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions. For a complete meal, serve alongside steamed white rice and sautéed green beans.

Notes

• Ensure the skillet is hot enough before frying the chicken to get a crisp golden crust.
• You can adjust the cayenne pepper to increase or decrease the heat according to your taste.
• Use unsalted butter to better control the seasoning in the dish.
• Letting the chicken rest in the sauce off the heat helps the flavors meld perfectly.
• This dish pairs best with neutral sides like white rice and vegetables to balance the sweet and savory sauce.

Keywords: Honey Butter Chicken, fried chicken, honey butter sauce, sweet and savory chicken, easy chicken recipe, skillet chicken