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Are you ready to create a dish that’s both sweet and savory? Honey Butter Chicken is a favorite for many, and it’s delightfully easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients like chicken breast, honey, and unsalted butter, you’ll have a meal that satisfies everyone. Join me as we explore this tasty recipe step-by-step, with tips and tricks for the perfect finish. Let’s get cooking!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The sweet and savory balance of honey and butter creates an irresistible glaze that elevates the chicken to a whole new level.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it over rice, with roasted vegetables, or even in a wrap, allowing for creativity and variety in your meals.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love the crispy chicken coated in a sweet sauce, making it a hit for the whole family.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
– 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Dry Coating Ingredients
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients
– 1/4 cup buttermilk
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
This recipe shines with its simple yet flavorful ingredients. The chicken breast gives a nice, tender bite. Honey adds sweetness, while unsalted butter offers richness.
For the dry coating, all-purpose flour forms the base. Garlic powder and paprika boost flavor. Salt and black pepper add the perfect touch.
Buttermilk helps the coating stick well. Vegetable oil is used for frying, creating a crispy texture. Finally, fresh parsley brightens the dish when served.
Each ingredient plays a key role in making honey butter chicken delightful and delicious!

Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Coating
First, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Use all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the spices are evenly distributed. This step is key for flavor. An even mix makes sure every bite tastes great.
Coating the Chicken
Next, pour buttermilk into a separate bowl. Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk. Make sure it is fully coated. Let any extra buttermilk drip off. Then, toss the chicken in the flour mixture. Ensure each piece is well covered. Set the coated chicken aside while you heat the oil.
Cooking the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Wait until the oil shimmers. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan; this helps in cooking evenly. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Look for a golden brown color. The chicken should not be pink inside. Once done, move the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb extra oil.
Making the Honey Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Add unsalted butter and let it melt. Stir in the honey and mix them well. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 2 minutes. Stir continuously to prevent burning. This step helps the flavors to blend nicely.
Combining Chicken with Sauce
Reintroduce the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss it in the honey butter sauce. Make sure every piece is well coated. Cook for an additional minute. This will warm everything through and give a nice gloss to the chicken.
Tips & Tricks
Achieving Perfect Crispiness
– Oil temperature monitoring: Heat your oil until it shimmers. Use a thermometer if needed. The right temperature makes the chicken crispy.
– Avoiding overcrowding the pan: Cook the chicken in batches. If the pan is too full, the chicken will steam instead of fry. This can make it soggy.
Enhancing Flavor
– Additional spices or herbs: Feel free to add your favorite spices. Try cayenne for heat or thyme for earthiness.
– Marinating tips for chicken: For more flavor, marinate chicken in buttermilk and spices for at least an hour. This makes the chicken tender and flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
– Plating ideas: Serve the honey butter chicken on a bed of rice or alongside fresh greens. This adds color and balance to your dish.
– Side dishes that complement honey butter chicken: Roasted vegetables or a simple salad work well. They add freshness and crunch to the meal.
Pro Tips
- Perfectly Coated Chicken: Ensure the chicken pieces are well-coated in buttermilk before dredging in the flour mixture. This extra step helps the coating adhere better, resulting in a crunchier texture.
- Oil Temperature Matters: Make sure the vegetable oil is hot enough before adding the chicken. If the oil isn’t hot, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy instead of crispy.
- Honey Butter Balance: Adjust the honey in the sauce to suit your taste. If you prefer a more savory dish, reduce the honey slightly to enhance the flavor of the butter and chicken.
- Garnish for Freshness: Don’t skip the parsley garnish! It adds a fresh flavor and visual appeal, making the dish look vibrant and inviting.

Variations
Spicy Honey Butter Chicken
Want to add a kick? You can make spicy honey butter chicken easily. Just add a bit of cayenne pepper to the flour mix. Start with half a teaspoon. Taste the spice level and adjust as needed. You can also tweak the sweetness. If it’s too spicy, add more honey. This balance makes every bite exciting!
Honey Butter Chicken with Veggies
Incorporating veggies adds color and nutrition. You can add chopped bell peppers or broccoli during the cooking stage. Just toss them in when the chicken is halfway cooked. This way, they will soak up the honey butter flavor. Pair it with roasted carrots or a fresh salad. It makes the meal complete and delicious!
Alternatives to Chicken
Not in the mood for chicken? You can swap it with tofu or tempeh. Use the same coating and cooking method. For tofu, press it first to remove excess water. Cook it for about 5-6 minutes on each side. If you go for tempeh, slice it thin and cook for about 4-5 minutes. Both options give you a tasty twist!
Storage Info
Refrigerator Storage
To store leftovers, let the honey butter chicken cool first. Place it in an airtight container. I recommend using glass or plastic containers with tight lids. This keeps the chicken fresh and prevents spills in your fridge.
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze honey butter chicken for later use. Just follow these steps: First, cool the chicken completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. When you want to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a skillet over low heat until warm. This keeps the chicken juicy and tasty.
Shelf Life
You can keep leftovers in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. After that, the chicken may start to lose its flavor. Signs that the chicken has gone bad include an off smell or a slimy texture. If you notice these signs, it’s best to throw it away. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety.
FAQs
What is honey butter chicken?
Honey butter chicken is a dish that combines crispy chicken with a sweet honey sauce. This recipe is popular in many homes because it is simple and tasty. The mix of flavors makes it a favorite for family dinners or gatherings. Its sweet and savory taste appeals to both kids and adults alike.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. Just remember to thaw it first. The best way to thaw chicken is in the fridge overnight. If you need it fast, you can use a microwave. After thawing, pat it dry to help the coating stick better.
Is honey butter chicken spicy?
Honey butter chicken is not spicy. It has a mild flavor from the spices used. If you want some heat, you can add cayenne pepper or chili flakes. Just a pinch can make it spicy without losing the sweet taste.
What can I serve with honey butter chicken?
You can serve honey butter chicken with many sides. Some great options include:
– Fluffy rice
– Roasted vegetables
– Mashed potatoes
– Coleslaw
These sides balance the sweet flavors and make your meal complete.
How can I make this recipe healthier?
To make honey butter chicken healthier, you can:
– Use skinless chicken breast for less fat.
– Substitute honey with a sugar-free sweetener.
– Bake instead of frying the chicken for fewer calories.
These changes keep the dish tasty while making it easier to fit into a healthy diet.
In this blog post, you learned how to make honey butter chicken. We covered the main ingredients, the step-by-step instructions, and some tips for the best results. You now know how to achieve that perfect crispiness and enhance flavors. The variations allow you to explore different tastes and even use alternative proteins. Finally, proper storage keeps your leftovers fresh. I hope you feel excited to try this recipe and share it with others. Enjoy your cooking journe
Sweet and Savory Honey Butter Chicken
A deliciously crispy chicken dish coated in a sweet and savory honey butter sauce, garnished with fresh parsley.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- to taste fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until the spices are evenly distributed.
In a separate bowl, pour the buttermilk. Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk, ensuring it is fully coated, then transfer each piece to the flour mixture, tossing to ensure an even coating. Set aside to rest.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for approximately 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the unsalted butter. Allow it to melt completely, then stir in the honey and let the mixture simmer gently for about 2 minutes.
Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the honey butter sauce until thoroughly coated. Cook for an additional minute until warmed through.
Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the honey butter chicken to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
For an elegant touch, serve the honey butter chicken on a bed of fluffy rice or alongside roasted vegetables.
Keyword chicken, dinner, honey butter
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