Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken & Rice

Tender, juicy chicken coated in a glossy sticky honey garlic sauce, served over fluffy rice—this easy dinner is sweet, savory, garlicky, and incredibly comforting. Everything comes together in one skillet for a delicious weeknight meal the whole family will love!

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• ½ cup chicken broth

For the Rice

• 1½ cups long-grain white rice
• 2¼ cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp butter
• ¼ tsp salt

For Garnishing

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh parsley or cilantro

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Rice

Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear. Add rice, chicken broth, butter, and salt to a saucepan.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15–18 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Let it rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

2. Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry. Toss it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cornstarch until evenly coated.

3. Brown the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.

4. Make the Sticky Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds.

Pour in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Add red pepper flakes if using.

Stir well and simmer for 3–5 minutes, allowing the sauce to begin thickening.

5. Coat the Chicken

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together and simmer for another 2–3 minutes, until the sauce becomes thick, glossy, and sticky.

Make sure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.

6. Serve

Spoon fluffy rice into bowls and pile the sticky honey garlic chicken on top. Drizzle with extra sauce and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

🔥 Pro Tips

• Chicken thighs stay especially juicy and work beautifully with this recipe.
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet when browning the chicken.
• Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer so the honey doesn’t burn.
• For extra garlic flavor, add another clove or two.
• Add broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots for a complete veggie-packed meal.
• Want more heat? Add extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili crisp.

🍽️ Serving Idea

Pair it with steamed broccoli, roasted vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad. The sticky sauce is so good that you’ll want plenty of rice to soak it up!

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

Golden chicken + sticky honey garlic sauce + fluffy rice = an easy homemade dinner that tastes like takeout, only better!