Honey Butter Chicken

If you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge wondering, “What in the world do I make tonight that’s easy, fast, and doesn’t involve 15 dirty dishes?”—you’re not alone. That’s exactly why this Honey Butter Chicken is about to become your weeknight hero.

It’s crispy, tender chicken coated in a sticky-sweet, buttery sauce with just the right kick of savory. And did I mention it’s ready in about 30 minutes? Whether you’re wrangling toddlers, balancing Zoom meetings, or just want something drool-worthy without the drama—this recipe has your back. Trust me, your taste buds (and your family) will thank you.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Butter Chicken

Aside from the fact that it smells like pure comfort while it’s cooking (seriously, your kitchen might just get a standing ovation), Honey Butter Chicken hits that perfect spot between indulgent and practical.

• Quick & Easy: 30 minutes. One pan. Minimal cleanup. Enough said.
• Sweet meets savory: That sauce is a magical combo of honey, butter, soy, and vinegar.
• Kid-approved: Even picky eaters tend to surrender at first bite.
• Perfect for leftovers: Reheat it and throw it over rice, salad, or even in a wrap.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (just enough kick!)
• 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 (for that final fresh finish)

For the Honey Butter Sauce:

• 5 tbsp butter, room temperature
• ½ cup honey (the star of the show!)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper

Let’s Make It: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Coat the Chicken
In a big mixing bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, cayenne, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss in your chicken pieces and coat them well. You want every bite crispy and seasoned to perfection.

Step 2: Sear Until Golden
Melt the butter and oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, shaking off any extra flour first, and cook in a single layer (no crowding!). Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until both sides are golden brown. Set aside on a plate—try not to snack on them… or at least not too many.

Step 3: Make the Honey Butter Sauce
Lower the heat and add the remaining butter to the same skillet. Once it’s melted, stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until it becomes thick and glossy—like caramel with a passport.

Step 4: Bring it All Together
Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and toss to coat every bite in that luscious sauce. Turn off the heat and let everything mingle for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Serve It Up
Spoon it onto a platter (or directly onto white rice, let’s be honest), sprinkle with green onions, and get ready to dig in. A side of steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad wouldn’t hurt either.

Cooking Tips from My Kitchen to Yours

• Want crispier chicken? Add a little cornstarch (about 1 tbsp) to your flour mix.
• No cast iron? No worries—any large nonstick pan will work just fine.
• Spice it up: Like a little heat? Add a drizzle of sriracha or a pinch more cayenne to the sauce.
• Make it ahead: This sauce stores beautifully. You can prep it ahead and toss it with freshly cooked chicken for a super-speedy dinner.

My Honey Butter Chicken Story

This dish made its debut in my kitchen after a long day of everything. I was tired, my kids were hungry, and we were dangerously close to “cereal for dinner” territory. I threw it together using what I had, and the moment my son said, “Mom, this tastes like chicken nuggets got fancy,” I knew it was a keeper. Now it’s one of our top requests—especially on cozy Friday nights.

FAQs About Honey Butter Chicken

Conclusion

Sticky, buttery, and packed with flavor, Honey Butter Chicken is everything a weeknight dinner should be—fast, comforting, and a little bit magical. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just need something special for you, this is one recipe you’ll keep coming back to.

So go ahead, grab that skillet and pour some honey into your evening. You’ve earned it.

🧡 Happy cooking,

Explore More Sweet & Savory Chicken Recipes

If this Honey Butter Chicken hit the sweet spot for you (pun fully intended!), then you’re in for a real treat. Dive into more comforting and flavor-packed chicken dishes that balance sweet, spicy, creamy, and everything in between. Whether you’re craving a creamy skillet dinner or a fiery twist on takeout, these reader favorites are just a click away:

1. Try the comfort food cousin of today’s recipe with this ultra-satisfying Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice—perfect for cozy nights and picky eaters.
2. Love sweet and spicy combos? You’ll adore the bold flavors in this Copycat Sweet Fire Chicken that tastes just like your favorite takeout.
3. For something cheesy and cozy (because who doesn’t love a skillet full of goodness?), this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes is a must-make.
4. Feeling adventurous? Add a fiery flair to your weeknight dinners with Spicy Thai Chicken Tenders—quick, bold, and full of zesty personality.

These recipes are just the beginning. At Chicken Magic Recipes, there’s always something new and mouthwatering waiting to be discovered.

Honey Butter Chicken

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• Author: Aneta
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Honey Butter Chicken is sweet, savory, and perfectly crispy—everything you want in a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner. Coated in a buttery honey glaze with hints of soy and vinegar, it’s served over fluffy rice and topped with green onions for a dish that tastes like pure comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• ¼ 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

Honey Butter Sauce

• 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

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, cayenne, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss chicken pieces in the mixture to coat evenly.

2. In a large cast iron skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add chicken in a single layer, shaking off excess flour. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to low. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Stir in honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens into a caramel-like consistency.

4. Return chicken to the skillet and stir to coat thoroughly in sauce. Let sit for 5 minutes off the heat.

5. Serve over white rice and garnish with green onions.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can add 1 tbsp of cornstarch to the flour mixture.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier bites.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Main course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 640 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg