Description
Tender, juicy chicken bites coated in a sweet and savory honey butter glaze that’s absolutely irresistible! This easy 25-minute recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving as a party appetizer. The combination of caramelized butter, golden honey, and perfectly seasoned chicken creates a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Honey Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels—this is crucial for achieving good browning. In a large bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken cubes and toss until evenly coated, shaking off any excess flour.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot (but not smoking), add the chicken in a single layer. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding—you want the chicken to brown, not steam.
- Brown the chicken: Cook for 3-4 minutes without moving the pieces, allowing them to develop a golden crust. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until golden on all sides and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the honey butter sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn!).
- Build the glaze: Add honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), and lemon juice to the skillet. Whisk everything together and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and become glossy.
- Coat the chicken: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss them in the honey butter sauce until every piece is beautifully coated and glazed. Let everything cook together for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to caramelize slightly on the chicken.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with any remaining sauce from the pan, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot and glossy!
Notes
- Don’t skip patting the chicken dry – Moisture prevents proper browning and will make your coating soggy.
- Cut chicken uniformly – Even-sized pieces ensure everything cooks at the same rate.
- Watch the heat – If your sauce starts to burn or smoke, reduce the heat immediately. Honey can scorch quickly.
- Adjust sweetness – If you prefer less sweet, reduce honey to 1/4 cup. For more sweetness, go up to 1/2 cup.
- Make it spicy – Add more red pepper flakes, or try sriracha or hot sauce in the glaze.
- Sauce consistency – If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer a bit longer. If too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 6-7 chicken bites)
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg