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30 min total

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly

🧺 Pantry staples

🍽 Dinner

Discover a truly effortless way to create a deeply satisfying meal. This honey garlic chicken recipe delivers tender results with a glossy glaze, all cooked quickly in one pan.

Honey Garlic Chicken: Ready in Under 30 Minutes

This honey garlic chicken recipe is crafted for those seeking a flavourful and swift meal. Everything comes together without any idle time, ensuring tender results and a gleaming glaze that forms directly in the pan. It’s a classic comfort food, re-imagined for the pace of modern cooking, ideal for evenings when time is limited but the desire to eat well remains paramount. We believe in empowering you with simple, effective culinary solutions that deliver on both taste and convenience, making healthy eating an achievable daily routine.

Quick Overview

  • Preparation Time: 8 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 18 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 15.9 oz (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch (2-3cm) cubes
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 fl oz (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 fl oz (60ml) honey
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cornflour
  • 2 tbsp cold water
  • Sesame seeds and fresh chopped spring onion for garnish (optional)

Method

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and grated ginger (if using). Whisk well and set aside. In a small cup, prepare a “slurry” by mixing the cornflour with the cold water until a smooth paste is formed.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and almost cooked through.
  3. Add the finely minced garlic to the pan with the chicken and cook for approximately 30 seconds, until fragrant. Take care not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour the prepared sauce into the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavours.
  5. Whisk the cornflour “slurry” again and slowly add it to the sauce in the pan, stirring continuously. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the chicken beautifully.

Serving & Leftovers

Serve the honey garlic chicken hot immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and fresh spring onion, if desired. It pairs wonderfully with basmati rice or steamed vegetables. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheated in a frying pan or microwave.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Having reliable and swift cooking methods at your disposal is a true advantage for anyone wishing to eat well without sacrificing precious time. This recipe exemplifies how good organisation and a few targeted steps can transform an ordinary evening into a moment of culinary gratification, valuing efficiency without compromising on delicious flavour.

The SmartKitchen30 Method

Prepare everything first.

Cook over steady heat, without rushing.

Finish with balance — not complexity.

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