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Honey Butter Chicken

Honey butter chicken with golden, caramelized skillet chicken breasts coated in a glossy amber honey butter sauce. Quick weeknight chicken with a sweet honey glaze, garlicky butter base, and thyme-flecked finishing salt.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts and seasoning
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • garlic powder to taste
  • smoked paprika to taste
Skillet sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 3 garlic minced
  • 0.333 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Fresh thyme for garnish
  • flaky sea salt for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Sear the chicken
  1. Season the boneless skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and sear until deeply golden, 5-6 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove.
Make the honey butter sauce
  1. Melt the butter in the same pan over medium heat and add the minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute while it becomes fragrant. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar and bring to a simmer.
Glaze and finish
  1. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, turning and basting with the simmering sauce until caramelized and evenly coated. Plate and drizzle with any remaining sauce, then finish with fresh thyme leaves and flaky sea salt.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the heat at medium-high for a real golden sear, then reduce to a controlled simmer when glazing so the honey turns glossy instead of burning. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet until warmed through. Freezing isn’t recommended because the honey-butter sauce can separate after thawing. For a lower-sugar option, use a sugar-free honey substitute in the same amount.