Easy Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice

This Easy Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice is a simple, flavorful dinner made with tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce, served over fluffy rice. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal and uses simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1½ lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

For the Rice:

• 1½ cups long-grain white rice
• 2¼ cups water
• ½ teaspoon salt

Optional Garnishes:

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh parsley
• A pinch of red pepper flakes

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice

1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Cut it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.

Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Toss well to coat every piece.

2. Make the rice
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Add the rice, water, and salt to a saucepan.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15–18 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

Turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.

3. Prepare the honey garlic sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, water, rice vinegar or lemon juice, and sesame oil if using.

In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until completely smooth. This will help thicken the sauce.

4. Cook the chicken
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.

Avoid overcrowding the skillet. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.

5. Add the garlic
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly.

Be careful not to burn the garlic because it can become bitter.

6. Add the honey sauce
Pour the honey-soy mixture into the skillet. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Let the sauce gently simmer for 2–3 minutes.

7. Thicken the sauce
Give the cornstarch mixture another quick stir, then slowly pour it into the skillet while stirring.

Cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the sauce becomes glossy and thick enough to coat the chicken.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your preferred consistency.

8. Coat the chicken
Continue stirring the chicken through the sauce for another minute. Every piece should be generously coated in the sweet, garlicky glaze.

Remove the skillet from the heat.

9. Assemble and serve
Spoon fluffy rice into serving bowls or plates. Top with the honey garlic chicken and drizzle over any extra sauce from the skillet.

Finish with green onions, sesame seeds, parsley, or a small pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.

Cooking Tips

• Chicken thighs stay especially juicy, while chicken breast gives you a leaner option.
• Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces so everything cooks evenly.
• Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce the best flavor.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty dish.
• Don’t boil the honey sauce aggressively; a gentle simmer helps keep the glaze smooth.
• For extra vegetables, add broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the skillet.
• Make sure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally before serving.

Serving Ideas

Serve the chicken and rice with steamed broccoli, roasted vegetables, cucumber salad, or a simple green salad. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions adds extra flavor and makes the dish look restaurant-style.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy