Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Honey Butter Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish that combines crispy chicken pieces with a rich, flavorful honey butter sauce. This recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
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
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until they are fully coated with the flour mixture.
- Step 2: Heat the butter and oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, shaking off any excess flour. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring continuously until it thickens to a smooth caramel-like consistency.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat each piece thoroughly with the honey butter sauce. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 6: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve warm with white rice and sautéed green beans.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, double dredge the chicken by dipping in beaten egg before coating with the flour mixture.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, more flavorful result.
- Add a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
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 maintain the sauce’s texture, or microwave briefly until warmed through.
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 chicken breasts cut into pieces for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw completely and pat dry before coating to achieve the best texture.
Is this dish gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.
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Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Honey Butter Chicken recipe features tender, crispy chicken pieces coated in a flavorful flour and spice mixture, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a luscious honey butter sauce with soy sauce and apple cider vinegar. Served garnished with green onions and perfect alongside white rice and sautéed green beans, this dish balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
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
Cooking Fat
- 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
- 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 them well to ensure all pieces are thoroughly coated with the seasoned flour mixture.
- Fry the chicken: In a large cast iron skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of canola oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, shaking off any excess flour. Fry the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until both sides are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the honey butter sauce: Reduce the heat to low and return the skillet to the stove. Add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and allow it to melt. Then, stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and ground black pepper.
- Cook the sauce: Stir continuously over low heat until the sauce becomes smooth and caramel-like in thickness. Add the fried chicken back into the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each piece in the sauce. Once coated, turn off the heat and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- 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 a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add chili flakes to the flour mixture.
- Use a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan for even heat distribution when frying.
- Room temperature butter in the sauce ensures a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Letting the chicken rest in the sauce allows deeper flavor penetration and a luscious coating.
- This recipe can be adapted for gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Honey butter chicken, fried chicken, honey butter sauce, easy chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken
