On those busy nights when everyone is circling the kitchen asking what’s for dinner, I reach for one trusty skillet and make honey butter chicken with tender strips of chicken simmered in a glossy honey butter sauce with a little hint of spice. It feels special enough for guests but simple enough for an everyday family meal with rice, mashed potatoes, or whatever sides you already have ready to go.
Honey Butter Chicken
This easy honey butter chicken recipe is all about tender chicken coated in a sweet, buttery, slightly spicy sauce that clings to every bite, so it tastes like a restaurant favorite. It’s beginner-friendly and comes together in about twenty minutes with basic ingredients you probably already have on hand, all in one skillet. You can even cut the chicken and whisk the sauce ahead, so dinner still delivers that cozy honey butter fried chicken flavor without any deep frying. More easy dinner inspiration is waiting in the main dish collection, offering plenty of crowd-pleasing options for every night of the week.
You had me at honey butter. Once I read that it was game over and I had to make it. Super delicious.
— Kristin
Ingredient Notes
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless breasts or thighs both work; thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving. Choose similar-sized pieces and cut into even strips so they cook evenly.
- Salt and pepper: Season the chicken before dredging so the flavor goes all the way through, not just on top. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper give the best, clean taste.
- Flour: A light coating of all-purpose flour helps the chicken brown and gives the sauce something to cling to. Shake off extra so the crust stays thin and the sauce doesn’t turn pasty. A one-to-one gluten free blend works too.
- Butter: Use real unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the sauce. Have it cut into pieces so it melts quickly and doesn’t burn.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic keeps the sauce savory and balances the sweetness of the honey. Mince it just before cooking so it stays fragrant.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a gentle tang that keeps the honey butter from tasting too heavy. Make sure your vinegar smells bright and not harsh or stale.
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos: A splash adds savory depth and color. Use low sodium soy sauce if you’re watching salt, or coconut aminos for a gluten free or soy free option.
- Honey: The star of the sauce, honey makes everything thick, glossy, and pleasantly sweet. Choose a mild honey so it doesn’t overpower the garlic and vinegar.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Bring gentle heat and that spicy honey butter fried chicken vibe. Start with a small pinch for kids and let spice-lovers add more at the table.
How To Make Honey Butter Chicken
Prep Chicken
Cut the chicken into 2-inch strips, pat dry, season with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off any extra.
Pro Tip: Keep the strips about the same thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
Brown Chicken in Butter
Heat three tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium. Add the floured chicken in a single layer and cook about 3 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
Pro Tip: If the pan is crowded, brown the chicken in two batches so it sears instead of steaming.
Make Sauce & Serve
Push the chicken to one side of the skillet, add the remaining butter, and let it melt. Stir in the garlic for about 30 seconds, then add the vinegar, soy sauce or coconut aminos, red pepper flakes, and honey, stirring to combine and letting it simmer on low for 1–2 minutes until glossy; add a tablespoon of water at a time if it becomes too thick.
Pro Tip: Keep the heat at a gentle simmer so the honey does not scorch and the sauce slowly drips from the spoon for that sticky honey butter chicken texture.
Remove the skillet from the heat, transfer the chicken to a platter, and spoon the extra sauce over the top. Serve right away with a warm scoop of Easy Jasmine Rice Instant Pot with Coconut Milk or a refreshing Maple Glazed Spinach Arugula Salad With Toasted Pecans, effortless sides for this honey butter chicken.
Yes. Cook it earlier in the day, cool and refrigerate it, then gently reheat with a splash of water so the sauce loosens and coats the chicken again before serving.
Double the recipe, arrange the chicken on a large platter with extra sauce spooned over the top, and serve it with bowls of rice or mashed potatoes while keeping the platter loosely covered so it stays warm.
Yes. Simply leave them out for a mild version and let anyone who likes heat add red pepper flakes at the table; the sauce will still be rich, sweet, and buttery.
Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips
Dietary Modifications: For gluten-free, use a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend and swap regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos; for dairy-free, use a plant-based butter made for cooking. If you’re watching sodium, choose low-sodium soy sauce and always taste the sauce before adding more salt.
Flavor Enhancements: A pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of Worcestershire deepens the flavor, a squeeze of lemon lightens it, and extra red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce make this a spicy hot honey butter chicken.
Add-In options: Add green onions, green beans, or broccoli at the end so they soak up the sauce, and serve the chicken and sauce over rice, quinoa, or buttered egg noodles for a heartier meal.
Simple Substitutions: Use boneless chicken thighs for juicier, darker meat flavor.
Tips For Recipe Success: Use a hot, buttered skillet and don’t overcrowd the pan so the chicken browns, then watch the sauce as it simmers because honey thickens fast. Pull it off the heat once it is glossy and coating the chicken, and have your sides ready so everything hits the table hot. You can also add a side dish of Crisp-Tender Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Sweet Potatoes for a beautifully balanced plate.
Hospitality Challenge
Host an “Open Chair Night.” Set one extra place, send out a text to a friend or neighbor, “One open chair at our table tonight at 6:30. Warm honey butter chicken. Come as you are.” Greet the guest by name, offer a short prayer before the meal, and, while you’re plating dinner, you can make the moment feel even more welcoming by adding something cozy like Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes alongside something fresh and bright such as Mexican Cabbage Slaw Recipe With Zesty Dressing, and finish the evening sweetly with Easy Bisquick Peach Cobbler: Just 10 Minutes of Prep before sending them home with a small leftovers cup and a handwritten card that reads, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13, ESV).
More Saucy and Savory Chicken Ideas
- Cheesy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti (Slow Cooker)
- Extra Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Crockpot Recipe
- Cheesy Chicken and French Onion Soup Casserole
- Easy Prep Chicken With Salsa (Slow Cooker)
- Easy Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken
This easy honey butter chicken recipe gives you tender, saucy chicken with cozy flavor and almost no prep, perfect for weeknights or casual hosting. If you have any questions about making this recipe, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Sweet and Savory Honey Butter Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken boneless breast , meat or thigh
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 /3 cup flour
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or coconut aminos
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper seeds, more if you like it spicy
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Cut the chicken into horizontal strips that are 2 inches wide.1 pound chicken boneless breast
- Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Place the flour in a shallow pan and coat the chicken on both sides. Shake off any excess.1 /3 cup flour
Cook the Chicken
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat.6 tablespoons butter
- Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes. Reduce the heat if it browns too quickly.
Make the Sauce
- Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter.
- When the butter melts add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.2 cloves garlic
- Add the vinegar, soy sauce, crushed red pepper seeds, and honey. Stir and spoon the sauce over the chicken.2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper seeds, 1/3 cup honey
- Bring to a low simmer for about 2 minutes. Add a tablespoon of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Finish
- Remove from heat and transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
- Spoon honey butter sauce over the top.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Room Temperature: For gatherings, keep honey butter chicken at room temperature for no more than two hours, then refrigerate any leftovers for safety.
- Fridge: Store leftover honey butter chicken in a shallow airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days; the sauce will thicken as it chills but loosens again when gently reheated.
- Freezer: Cool the chicken completely, then freeze it with the sauce in a labeled freezer-safe container or heavy-duty bag for up to three months.
- Reheat: Reheat the chicken and sauce covered in a small baking dish at 325 degrees for about fifteen minutes, or warm smaller portions in a covered skillet with a splash of water just until heated through.
You had me at honey butter. Once I read that it was game over and I had to make it. Super delicious.
So glad you enjoyed it. My kids always liked this one too. Come to think of it, I need to make it for the grandkids this weekend – we are crafting christmas decorations together. Kristin, I’m adding you as a star reviewer at the top of the post. Thanks for taking the time to share.