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–+ servings
Honey garlic chicken in a bowl.

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute!)

This 30-minute honey butter chicken is crispy, sweet, and juicy. Instead of deep-frying, it is shallow-fried in a pan with very little oil.
5 from 23 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5 people
Calories 645 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1.7 lbs Boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders
  • ⅔ cup Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil or canola oil or vegetable oil

For the honey butter sauce

  • ⅓ cup Honey
  • ½ cup Butter unsalted
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon Soy sauce light soy sauce

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl or flat plate, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Add the chicken chunks and toss until every piece is thoroughly coated.
  • Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. In the same pan, melt the butter with the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes until it becomes thick and bubbly.
  • Add the crispy chicken back into the pan. Toss for 1 minute, allowing the glaze to thicken further and cling to the crust. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Don't Overcrowd the Pan: For the crispiest results, fry the chicken in batches. If the pan is too full, the chicken will steam instead of fry, resulting in a soggy crust.
  • Shake Off Excess Flour: Before the chicken hits the oil, shake off any extra flour coating. This prevents the oil from becoming "gunky" and ensures a light, thin, shatter-crisp exterior.
  • Use a High-Smoke Point Oil: Use vegetable, canola, or avocado oil for shallow-frying. These can handle the medium-high heat without burning or smoking.
  • The Honey Watch: Honey caramelizes quickly due to its sugar content. Once the sauce begins to bubble and thicken, move fast to toss the chicken and remove the pan from the heat to avoid burning.
  • Let the Sauce Thicken First: Ensure the honey, butter, and soy sauce mixture is bubbly and syrupy before adding the chicken back in. This ensures the glaze clings to the crust rather than soaking into it.

Nutrition

Calories: 645kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 28gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 1209mgPotassium: 383mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 708IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Honey Butter Chicken
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