20-Minute Honey Ginger Glazed Chicken

Honey ginger glazed chicken with a sticky golden-brown sauce served beside white rice and topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

This 20-Minute Honey Ginger Glazed Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner made with tender bite-size chicken pieces coated in a sticky, sweet-and-savory honey ginger sauce. Fresh ginger, garlic, honey, and soy sauce come together in one skillet for a quick chicken dinner that tastes better than takeout.

Serve it over warm white rice for an easy meal the whole family can enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Ginger Chicken

Ready in about 20 minutes – Perfect for busy weeknights.
One skillet – Less cleanup after dinner.
Sweet and savory – Honey balances the salty soy sauce while fresh ginger adds warmth.
Simple ingredients – Nothing complicated or difficult to find.
Great with rice – The extra sticky glaze is perfect spooned over fluffy white rice.
Easy to customize – Add vegetables or adjust the sweetness to suit your family.

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional

How to Make 20-Minute Honey Ginger Glazed Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into approximately 1-inch pieces.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.

Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.

2. Make the honey ginger sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.

Set the sauce aside while you cook the chicken.

3. Cook the chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 to 3 minutes so the bottoms can brown.

Stir and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

4. Add the glaze

Reduce the heat to medium.

Pour the honey ginger sauce over the cooked chicken and stir well.

Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and creates a glossy coating over the chicken.

Remove the skillet from the heat once the sauce has thickened. Avoid cooking it too long because honey-based sauces can become overly thick or burn.

5. Garnish and serve

Sprinkle the chicken with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Serve immediately over warm white rice and spoon any extra honey ginger glaze from the skillet over the top.

Notes

Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.
Fresh ginger provides the best flavor for this recipe.
Keep a close eye on the sauce once the honey begins bubbling because it can thicken quickly.
If the glaze becomes thicker than you prefer, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.
Chicken is safely cooked when the thickest pieces reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
This is a pre-test recipe draft and can be adjusted after kitchen testing if the sauce thickness, sweetness, or cooking time needs refinement.

Tips for the Best Honey Ginger Chicken

Cut the chicken evenly

Keeping the chicken pieces close to the same size helps them cook at the same rate and prevents smaller pieces from drying out.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet

Use a large skillet so the chicken has room to brown rather than steam. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches.

Use fresh ginger

Ground ginger can work in a pinch, but freshly grated ginger gives this recipe a much brighter honey-ginger flavor.

Watch the glaze closely

Once the honey sauce starts bubbling, it thickens quickly. Stir frequently and remove the skillet from the heat as soon as the sauce becomes glossy and coats the chicken.

Adjust the sauce

For a slightly sweeter glaze, add another teaspoon or two of honey. For more savory flavor, add a small splash of soy sauce.

What to Serve With Honey Ginger Glazed Chicken

This chicken is especially good served over:

White rice
Jasmine rice
Brown rice
Fried rice
Rice noodles

You can also serve it with steamed or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Make Ahead

You can cut the chicken and prepare the honey ginger sauce up to 24 hours ahead.

Store the raw chicken and prepared sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover honey ginger chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through.

If the glaze becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a splash of water before reheating to loosen the sauce.

FAQ

Can You Freeze Honey Ginger Chicken?

Yes. Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently. The sauce may thicken after freezing, so add a small splash of water while reheating if needed.

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Try

If you enjoy quick chicken dinners, try these other Creative Kitchen Bites recipes:

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 servings