Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Honey Butter Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish that brings together crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a luscious honey butter sauce. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special meal to impress your guests.

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 with the flour mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat the butter and oil together in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Shake off any excess flour from the chicken and arrange the pieces in a single layer in the skillet.
3. Step 3: Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat to low and add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Continue stirring the sauce over low heat until it thickens to a smooth, caramel-like consistency.
6. Step 6: Return the fried chicken to the pan and toss it thoroughly in the honey butter sauce until each piece is well coated. Turn off the heat and allow the chicken to rest in the sauce for 5 minutes.
7. Step 7: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately with white rice and sautéed green beans.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double-coat the chicken pieces by dipping them in an egg wash before coating with the flour mixture.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level.
• Swap the apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar for a milder tang.
• Add a pinch of sesame seeds on top for added texture and flavor.

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 smooth and the chicken tender. Avoid microwaving directly to prevent the sauce from separating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well and tend to be juicier. Cut them into similar-sized pieces and adjust cooking time if needed to ensure they are cooked through.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free too.

Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 70 reviews

This Honey Butter Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful seasoned flour mix, pan-fried to a golden crisp and then enveloped in a luscious, smooth honey butter sauce. The combination of sweet honey, savory butter, soy sauce, and a hint of apple cider vinegar creates a perfectly balanced glaze that coats the chicken beautifully. Served best with white rice and sautéed green beans, this dish is a comforting and delicious meal that’s quick to prepare.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken 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

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

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

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 each piece is thoroughly coated with the seasoned flour 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 and place them in a single layer in the skillet, spreading evenly. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare the honey butter sauce: Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and ground black pepper.
4. Cook the sauce: Continue stirring the sauce over low heat until it thickens to a smooth, caramel-like consistency. Add the fried chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat all pieces completely with the sauce. Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes to absorb the 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

• Shaking off excess flour before frying prevents clumping and ensures a crisp exterior.
• Use room temperature butter for the sauce to help it melt evenly and blend smoothly.
• Apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tanginess that balances the sweetness of honey.
• For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper amount or add chili flakes to the sauce.
• Serve immediately after sauce coating to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

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