Why You’ll Love this Sweet & Savory Honey Glazed Chicken
Once you taste this honey glazed chicken, you’ll understand why it’s become a staple in my weekly meal rotation. The magical combination of honey and soy sauce creates this irresistible sticky glaze that’s both sweet and savory—can anything be more perfect?
The beauty lies in its simplicity. Just mix, marinate, and bake. While it works its magic in the oven, you’re free to prep sides or, let’s be honest, scroll through your phone. The tender chicken cubes, caramelized onions, and colorful bell peppers make this dish visually stunning too. Dinner table conversation starter? Check.
What Ingredients are in Sweet & Savory Honey Glazed Chicken?
This honey glazed chicken recipe combines the perfect balance of sweet honey with savory soy sauce to create a mouthwatering meal that’s both satisfying and simple. The marinade infuses the chicken with incredible flavor while the vegetables add texture and color to the dish. Ready to raid your pantry? You probably have most of these ingredients already waiting to be transformed into something delicious.
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 garlic cloves, whole
- 1 onion, cut into large chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters—especially with the honey. Try to find a good local honey if you can, as it adds a deeper flavor profile than the standard squeeze-bottle variety. For those watching sodium intake, low-sodium soy sauce works perfectly in this recipe without compromising taste. And while the recipe calls for red bell peppers, feel free to mix in yellow or orange bells for an even more colorful presentation. The chicken is the star here, so opt for fresh rather than frozen breasts if possible.
How to Make this Sweet & Savory Honey Glazed Chicken
This honey glazed chicken comes together in two simple stages: marinating and baking. Start by creating your marinade—combine 1/4 cup canola oil, 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup soy sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, whisking until everything is well incorporated. The honey might be a bit stubborn at first (aren’t we all before dinner?), but keep whisking until it fully dissolves into the mixture. This sweet-savory liquid gold is what transforms ordinary chicken into something truly crave-worthy.
Once your marinade is ready, place your 4 skinless chicken breasts (cut into cubes) into a large zip-top bag along with 2 whole garlic cloves, 1 onion cut into chunks, and 1 sliced red bell pepper. Pour the marinade over everything, seal the bag while pressing out excess air, and give it a good massage to guarantee all pieces are coated.
Now comes the hardest part—waiting! Let everything marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, though overnight works wonders if you can plan ahead. The longer it sits, the more those flavors penetrate the chicken, creating deeper, more complex taste profiles.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350°F and drain the marinade from the chicken and vegetables. Transfer everything to a baking dish, arranging in a single layer if possible for even cooking.
Pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes, checking occasionally until the chicken is completely cooked through with no pink remaining. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer and the vegetables have softened slightly while maintaining some texture. The honey in the marinade creates a beautiful caramelization on the chicken that’s absolutely worth the wait!
Sweet & Savory Honey Glazed Chicken Substitutions and Variations
While the core recipe for honey glazed chicken is absolutely delicious as written, you can easily customize it to match whatever ingredients you have on hand or to suit different dietary needs.
Don’t have canola oil? Olive oil works perfectly fine, though it adds a slightly different flavor profile. Vegetable oil is another neutral option. For a lower-sodium version, try low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. Can’t do soy? Tamari makes a great gluten-free substitute.
The vegetables are wonderfully flexible too. Yellow bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms can replace or complement the red pepper.
And truth be told, a little pineapple tossed in creates a delightful sweet-tangy twist.
What to Serve with Sweet & Savory Honey Glazed Chicken
Now that you’ve got your chicken marinaded to perfection, let’s talk about what to serve alongside this sweet and savory masterpiece.
Rice is a no-brainer, soaking up that delicious honey glaze like it was meant to be. I’m partial to jasmine or basmati, but brown rice works for a healthier option.
Steamed vegetables keep things light—broccoli, snap peas, or carrots complement the sweetness nicely.
Want something more substantial? Roasted potatoes with rosemary or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette balance the rich flavors.
Can’t decide? A cucumber salad with rice vinegar cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
After preparing this honey glazed chicken recipe, I’m convinced it deserves a permanent spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. The perfect balance of sweet honey and savory soy sauce creates a flavor that’s simply irresistible, don’t you think?
The marinade does all the heavy lifting, infusing the chicken with rich flavors while you go about your day. When dinner time arrives, just pop it in the oven for a stress-free meal. The combination of tender chicken with caramelized onions and red peppers makes for a complete dish that’s both beautiful and delicious.
