Honey Garlic Chicken is an epic 12 minute chicken breast recipe with a magic 5 ingredient Honey Garlic Sauce! This is a terrific back pocket quick dinner idea for busy nights that’s made with pantry staples. It’s quite amazing how so few ingredients can transform into such a tasty sauce for chicken!.
Boneless chicken breast is a versatile and lean protein that can be prepared in endless ways. Learning how to properly cook boneless chicken breast is essential for making tender, juicy, and flavorful meals. With the right techniques, seasonings, and cooking methods, you can transform this mild-tasting meat into crave-worthy dishes.
Why Choose Boneless Chicken Breast?
Before diving into cooking methods let’s discuss why boneless chicken breast is a smart choice
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High in Protein Chicken breast contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of complete protein needed for building muscle mass A 6 ounce serving provides 54 grams of protein
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Very Low in Calories and Fat: The breast has a lot less fat and calories than the thighs and wings. A 6-ounce serving has only 140 calories and 3 grams of fat, which can help you reach your weight loss goals.
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Neutral Flavor Profile: The mild taste of chicken breast allows it to absorb and complement various seasonings and sauces. It can be flavored in endless ethnic styles.
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Versatile and Budget-Friendly: Chicken breast works in everything from salads and wraps to casseroles and skewers. It’s affordable and widely accessible.
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Quick Cooking: Boneless breasts cook faster than bone-in varieties, making them perfect for busy weeknight meals.
With health benefits and convenience on its side, boneless chicken breast can be a regular rotation in any home cook’s meal planning.
Prepping Raw Chicken Breast
Proper preparation is key to cooking boneless chicken breast correctly:
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Thaw Safely: If frozen, thaw breasts in the refrigerator overnight. Put it in a sealed bag and put it in cold water. Every 30 minutes, change the water. This will help it thaw faster.
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Trim and Clean: Rinse chicken under cold water and trim any excess fat or tendons with a sharp knife for clean edges. Pat very dry with paper towels.
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Pound for Even Thickness: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound each breast to an even thickness, which promotes even cooking.
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Season Generously: Rub salt, pepper, and spices or herbs over both sides to infuse flavor into the meat. Let marinate if time allows.
Once you’re done with the prep work, it’s time to choose the cooking method that works best for you and the recipe.
Best Cooking Methods for Juicy, Flavorful Results
Choosing the right cooking technique for boneless chicken breast is key to maximizing moisture and flavor. Here are top methods to try:
Pan Searing
Benefits: Creates a flavorful golden brown crust while keeping interior moist. Simple stovetop method.
How to: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 3-5 minutes per side until browned and 165°F internal temperature.
Grilling
Benefits: Imparts delicious charred flavor. Can be cooked directly over heat or indirectly with lid closed to prevent drying.
How to: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil grates to prevent sticking. Grill chicken 4-6 minutes per side with lid open until 165°F.
Baking
Benefits: Allows chicken to cook gently in the oven for super juicy, tender meat. Easy cleanup.
How to: Preheat oven to 375°F. When the chicken reaches 165°F on the inside, put it on a sheet pan and bake it for 18 to 22 minutes.
Poaching
Benefits: Submerging chicken in simmering liquid keeps it very moist while infusing flavor. Healthy cooking method.
How to: Simmer chicken in broth, wine, or water with aromatics for 15-20 minutes until 165°F.
Air Frying
Benefits: Crisps the exterior while locking in juices. Quicker than oven baking. Minimal oil needed.
How to: Air fry chicken at 380°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165°F.
Seasoning Ideas for Fantastic Flavor
Since boneless chicken breast has a mild taste, seasoning is key for making it shine. Consider these flavor ideas:
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Dry Spice Rubs: Chile powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, thyme
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Fresh Herbs: Rosemary, basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme, sage, tarragon
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Wet Marinades: Yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, citrus, soy sauce, teriyaki
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Sauces and Glazes: Barbecue, teriyaki, honey mustard, creamy garlic
Experiment with global flavors, combining spices, herbs, aromatics, acids, oils, and sweeteners for signature seasoning blends. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for pronounced flavor penetration.
Handy Tips for Perfect Results
Use these handy tips for flawlessly cooked chicken breast every time:
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Monitor temperature with a meat thermometer for doneness at 165°F. Appearance alone can be misleading.
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Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking, which allows juices to redistribute evenly.
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Avoid overcrowding the pan or baking dish, which steams instead of browns.
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Resist the urge to keep cutting to check doneness, which causes juices to leak out.
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For extra tender meat, brine chicken in a saltwater solution before cooking.
Simple Recipe Ideas
The possibilities are endless for cooked boneless chicken breast. Try these easy recipes:
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Chicken Salad: Shred and mix with mayo, veggies, and seasonings for sandwiches or lettuce wraps.
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Chicken Tacos: Slice or shred chicken and serve in warmed tortillas with desired taco toppings.
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Chicken Pasta: Toss cooked chicken with your favorite pasta, olive oil or sauce, and sautéed veggies.
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Chicken Stir Fry: Slice chicken and stir fry with seasonal veggies, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic.
With the right prep, seasoning, and cooking method, you can make juicy, flavorful boneless chicken breast for amazing home cooked meals. Experiment and have fun with this lean and versatile protein.
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Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
This sauce for chicken breast is a variation of my Honey Garlic Salmon which has been popular with readers for many years.
If I were ever to do a summary of my top 5 Most Used Sauces, Honey Garlic Sauce would probably be right at the top of the list. I love it because it requires so few ingredients that are pantry staples, and when simmered with a seared protein in a skillet so it becomes all bubbly and syrupy…. oh WOW.
It’s just DA BOMB!!! ( <– Who talks like that at my age???! I do. Only in extenuating circumstances. Excitement over crazy delicious secret-weapon sauce falls under this category. ).
What to serve with Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
There’s enough sauce to drizzle over veggies and soak into rice or whatever you serve it with. The flavour is strong enough such that you don’t need loads – a bit goes a long way!.
It’s pictured above with Cauliflower Rice (tossed with a squeeze of lemon, parsley, salt and pepper) with Cucumber Salad on the side.
Even though it’s got soy sauce in the Honey Garlic Sauce, this doesn’t taste specifically Asian-y. But it can be used with a lot of different foods. For example, it goes well with Fried Rice, Macaroni Salad, or even Mac and Cheese. I promise you, if you do it just once, you’ll get it. It only takes 12 minutes, so you have time! – Nagi x
How to Cook Chicken Breasts on the Stovetop
FAQ
What is the best way to cook boneless breasts?
Oven-Roast at 425 Degrees Fahrenheit The Method: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay out seasoned chicken breasts on parchment. Roast in preheated oven for 13 to 18 minutes, until chicken is just cooked through.
How do you cook boneless skinless chicken breasts so they don’t dry out?
Brine: Putting the chicken in a brine of water and salt will bring out its natural flavor and make sure the meat stays tender as of December 9, 2024.
How to cook boneless skinless chicken breasts so they are tender?
Flatten the chicken breasts. Heat the pan. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. Flip the chicken breasts. Turn the heat down to low. Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. Remove lid and take temperature.
Is it better to cook boneless chicken breast covered or uncovered?
It’s generally recommended to bake chicken breasts uncovered. But if the chicken starts to brown too much before reaching the proper internal temperature, you can loosely cover it with foil to prevent over-browning.
How do you cook boneless chicken breast in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the chicken breasts in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, making sure they are at least 1 inch apart. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Add broth, drizzle with olive oil or add a pat of butter to each chicken breast.
How do you cook boneless chicken breast in a crock pot?
Place 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a medium-size pot. Spread the chicken breasts out along the bottom of the pot so the meat is not layered. If you do not have a pot large enough to support the chicken breasts, use a deep, covered skillet instead. Make sure that your chicken is completely defrosted if it was frozen.
How long do you cook chicken breast in a pan?
Heat skillet to medium high and coat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the chicken breast pieces one at a time for two minutes on each side, or until they are fully cooked and the outside is really browned. Add more oil to the pan as needed with each batch until all chicken is cooked. While chicken is cooking finely chop onions and wash mushrooms.