Easy Honey Garlic Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Sweetened with honey and fragrant with garlic, this easy gluten-free honey garlic chicken is a delicious chicken dinner that comes together quickly, and is perfect for busy weeknights! Serve over fluffy rice for a satisfying meal. Totally dairy-free too.
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Let’s Have Chicken Tonight – In Under 40 Minutes!
If you need a quick dinner idea, and love chicken as much as my family does, then I know you’re going to love this honey garlic chicken recipe!
Unbelievably simple to make, yet filled with so much sweet-savory flavor, this delicious chicken recipe is sure to be a family favorite…so be prepared to make it over and over again!
And, this is a gluten-free version that those with gluten issues can enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making gluten-free honey and garlic chicken are easily accessible at the local grocery stores (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: All you need to do is coat the chicken in a corn starch mixture, pan-fry it until golden, then prepare the honey garlic sauce which you’ll toss the chicken in! Plus, it’s all made in one pan, and ready in 40 minutes! How much easier does dinner get?
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this Asian-inspired chicken dinner recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free honey garlic chicken recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use skinless, boneless chicken thighs if you prefer. Make sure to slice the chicken into evenly-thin fillets to ensure even cooking.
- Cornstarch: Coating the chicken in cornstarch before pan-frying it helps create a light crust and keeps the chicken juicy inside, so make sure you don’t skip the cornstarch!
- Seasonings: I used a mix of ground black pepper and garlic powder. However, you may also add a bit of onion powder if you like.
- Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use another type of vegetable oil if you prefer (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, etc.)
- Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free, but you can also use regular butter, or vegetable oil of choice if you prefer.
- Garlic:Â Since this is a recipe for honey garlic chicken, garlic is a key ingredient. I used approximately 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic to get the pronounced taste of garlic, but you can increase or reduce the amount according to how much garlic flavor you want.
- Broth: Homemade chicken broth is best, but you can also use store-bought chicken broth or chicken stock for convenience.
- Honey: Honey is a key ingredient here, so make sure to use it! Possible alternatives if you rather not use honey are maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a nice tanginess to the sauce. Alternatively, you can also use white wine vinegar if you prefer.
- Soy Sauce: I used gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.
- Storing: To store, placed any leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot before serving.
How to Make Gluten-Free Honey Garlic Chicken (Step by Step):
Coat and Pan-Fry the Chicken
Coat Chicken in Cornstarch Mixture:Â In a bowl, mix cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Coat each chicken cutlet evenly on both sides, shaking off any excess. (Coating in cornstarch helps create a light crust and keeps the chicken juicy inside).
Pan-Fry Chicken Fillets:Â Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken fillets in the pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Once done, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to low and add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly golden.
Stir in Remaining Ingredients & Simmer: Stir in the apple cider vinegar, honey, gluten-free soy sauce, and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (the brown bits will enhance the sauce’s depth of flavor). Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and letting the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Toss Chicken in Honey Garlic Sauce
Add Chicken to Sauce:Â Return the cooked chicken fillets to the skillet. Use a spoon to coat each piece of chicken with the honey garlic with the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to absorb and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Garnish & Serve:Â Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped parsley, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Serve hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Dish by Dish Tips:
- Swap out the Protein: Swap out the chicken for another type of protein (such as pork or fish).
- Serve With: Fluffy white rice will go great with this chicken, or you can also serve it with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Other Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:
- Sweet and Sour Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Orange Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Honey Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Kung Pao Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Creamy Butter Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option)
Gluten-Free Asian Recipes to Indulge In:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
Easy Honey Garlic Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Sweetened with honey and fragrant with garlic, this easy gluten-free honey garlic chicken is a delicious chicken dinner that comes together quickly, and is perfect for busy weeknights! Serve over fluffy rice for a satisfying meal. Totally dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, sliced into evenly thin fillets
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (dairy-free butter if lactose-intolerant)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced finely (about 1 tablespoon minced)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce
Instructions
- Coat Chicken in Cornstarch Mixture: In a bowl, mix cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Coat each chicken cutlet evenly on both sides, shaking off any excess. (Coating in cornstarch helps create a light crust and keeps the chicken juicy inside).
- Pan-Fry Chicken Fillets: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken fillets in the pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Once done, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to low and add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Stir in Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the apple cider vinegar, honey, gluten-free soy sauce, and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (the brown bits will enhance the sauce’s depth of flavor).
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and letting the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Chicken to Sauce: Return the cooked chicken fillets to the skillet. Use a spoon to coat each piece of chicken with the honey garlic with the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to absorb and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped parsley, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Serve hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use skinless, boneless chicken thighs if you prefer. Make sure to slice the chicken into evenly-thin fillets to ensure even cooking.
Cornstarch: Coating the chicken in cornstarch before pan-frying it helps create a light crust and keeps the chicken juicy inside, so make sure you don’t skip the cornstarch!
Seasonings: I used a mix of ground black pepper and garlic powder. However, you may also add a bit of onion powder if you like.
Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use another type of vegetable oil if you prefer (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, etc.)
Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free, but you can also use regular butter, or vegetable oil of choice if you prefer.
Garlic: Since this is a recipe for honey garlic chicken, garlic is a key ingredient. I used approximately 1 tablespoon minced garlic to get the pronounced taste of garlic, but you can increase or reduce the amount according to how much garlic flavor you want.
Broth: Homemade chicken broth is best, but you can also use store-bought chicken broth or chicken stock for convenience.
Honey: Honey is a key ingredient here, so make sure to use it! Possible alternatives if you rather not use honey are maple syrup or agave nectar.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a nice tanginess to the sauce. Alternatively, you can also use white wine vinegar if you prefer.
Soy Sauce: I used gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.
Storing: To store, placed any leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
