Easy Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breast Recipes

James Carter! — The Cook Behind Cook Fast Recipes

By James Carter - November 26, 2025

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Tired of the same old chicken dinner? This pan fried chicken breast recipe is here to save the day! Coated in a luscious honey garlic sauce, it's a simple, quick meal that the whole family will love. Get ready for one of the most delicious family dinners you'll make all week.

Easy Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breast Recipes

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. Staring into the fridge, wondering what to make for dinner that won’t be boring. Chicken again? It can feel like a challenge to make it exciting. But what if I told you that you’re just minutes away from one of the best Chicken Breast Recipes you’ve ever tried? A dish so good, it will become a regular in your rotation.

This recipe is all about creating a truly special meal without any fuss. It’s one of those Simple Chicken Recipes that looks and tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, but you can make it right at home. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the honey garlic sauce is just heavenly. Get ready for a new family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First off, this recipe is incredibly quick. We’re talking about a meal that can be on your table in under 30 minutes. That makes it a lifesaver for busy weeknights when you want something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic choice for Delicious Family Dinners.

The flavor is simply amazing. The sauce is a beautiful balance of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and tangy apple cider vinegar, with a wonderful kick from the fresh garlic. It coats the chicken perfectly, creating a sticky, glossy glaze that is so good you’ll want to lick the plate clean.

It’s also very versatile. This chicken pairs well with almost anything. You can serve it with fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a side of steamed green beans. The options are endless, so you can adapt it to whatever you have on hand. This is one of those Chicken Breast Recipes that just works.

Finally, it’s a beginner friendly recipe. The steps are straightforward and easy to follow. You don’t need any special equipment or cooking skills to pull this off. Even if you’re new to cooking, you can make this Pan Fried Chicken Breast with confidence. It’s one of those confidence building Simple Chicken Recipes.

Ingredients

The beauty of these kinds of Chicken Breast Recipes lies in their simplicity. You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. Each one plays a key part in creating that wonderful flavor and texture. It’s a short list for a big result.

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 to 8 ounces each)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional, for a saucier dish)
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (optional garnish)

Step By Step Instructions

Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have one of the most Delicious Family Dinners on the table in no time. We’ll walk through it together.

Step 1: Prepare The Sauce

First things first, let’s get that amazing sauce ready. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Mixing it now ensures all the flavors meld together beautifully. Set it aside for later. This simple step makes the final cooking process so much smoother.

Step 2: Get The Chicken Ready

Now for the chicken. Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a large zip top bag. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, gently pound the chicken until it’s about a half inch thick. This is a really important step! It tenderizes the meat and ensures it cooks evenly and quickly.

Step 3: Season And Coat The Chicken

Generously season both sides of the pounded chicken with salt and pepper. Next, place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, making sure to coat both sides completely. Gently shake off any excess flour. This light coating is what helps create a lovely golden brown crust on our Pan Fried Chicken Breast.

Step 4: Sear The Chicken

Place a large skillet over medium high heat. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, carefully place the floured chicken breasts in the pan. Be sure not to overcrowd it; cook in batches if you need to. Let the chicken sear for about 4 to 5 minutes on one side, until it’s beautifully golden brown. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 5: Build The Flavor

Turn the heat down to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly until it becomes fragrant. Be very careful here, as garlic can burn quickly. You just want to toast it lightly to release its amazing aroma.

Step 6: Create The Glaze

Pour the sauce mixture you prepared earlier into the skillet. Let it simmer, and you’ll see it start to bubble and thicken into a beautiful glaze. This should only take a minute or two. Make sure the chicken is cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want a little extra sauce, now is the time to add the optional chicken broth.

Use a spoon to baste the chicken with the sauce. Turn the chicken pieces over to coat them completely in that sticky, wonderful glaze. This is the final touch that makes these Chicken Breast Recipes so good.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet over the top. If you like, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a bit of color and fresh flavor. Your delicious Pan Fried Chicken Breast is ready to enjoy!

How To Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. First, let the chicken cool down to room temperature completely. This helps prevent condensation from making the chicken soggy. Once cooled, place the chicken and any extra sauce in an airtight container.

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can do so in the microwave or gently in a skillet over low heat. Adding a splash of water or chicken broth to the skillet can help keep the chicken moist and bring the sauce back to life. It makes for a great lunch the next day!

Tips

Want to make your chicken even better? Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing. Giving each piece of chicken enough space is key to getting that nice golden brown crust. If your pan is too full, the chicken will steam instead of sear.

Pay close attention to the garlic. It goes from fragrant to burnt in a matter of seconds. Keep the heat on medium and stir it constantly. As soon as you can smell it, it’s ready for the sauce. This small detail makes a big difference in many Simple Chicken Recipes.

Don’t skip pounding the chicken. It might seem like an extra step, but it’s what makes the chicken cook so evenly and stay incredibly tender. It is a fantastic technique for all kinds of Chicken Breast Recipes.

Feel free to customize the sauce. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes would be a wonderful addition. A little bit of freshly grated ginger would also complement the garlic and honey very well. Cooking is all about making things your own!

Conclusion

There you have it! A simple, fast, and incredibly flavorful way to prepare chicken breast. This recipe proves that you don’t need a lot of time or complicated ingredients to create Delicious Family Dinners. It’s a dish that brings comfort and joy to the dinner table. We hope you love these Chicken Breast Recipes as much as we do!

FAQ

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead Of Breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would work beautifully in this recipe. Just be aware that they may need a few extra minutes of cooking time. Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is There A Substitute For Apple Cider Vinegar?

Yes, if you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you could use rice vinegar or white wine vinegar as a substitute. They will provide a similar tangy element to balance the sweetness of the honey. Lemon juice could also work in a pinch.

Can I Make This Recipe Gluten Free?

Making this recipe gluten free is very easy. Simply use a gluten free all purpose flour blend for dredging the chicken. Also, substitute the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, which are typically gluten free. Always check the labels to be sure.

What Should I Serve With This Chicken?

This dish is very versatile. It’s fantastic served over a bed of steamed white or brown rice to soak up all the extra sauce. It also pairs well with quinoa, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, or a simple side salad. It’s a main course that complements many different side dishes, making it perfect for Delicious Family Dinners.

Honey Garlic Pan Fried Chicken Breast

★★★★★

This quick and easy honey garlic pan-fried chicken breast recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, savory-sweet glaze. Perfect for delicious family dinners, it’s a versatile and beginner-friendly meal on your table in under 30 minutes.

⏱ Total Time: 25m
🍽️ Yield: 4 servings

Requirements

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Set it aside for later.
  2. Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a large zip top bag. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, gently pound the chicken until it’s about a half inch thick.
  3. Generously season both sides of the pounded chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, making sure to coat both sides completely. Gently shake off any excess flour.
  4. Place a large skillet over medium high heat. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, carefully place the floured chicken breasts in the pan. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on one side, until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for another 1 to 2 minutes.
  5. Turn the heat down to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  6. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet. Let it simmer, bubble, and thicken into a glaze for a minute or two. Ensure chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit). If more sauce is desired, add the optional chicken broth. Use a spoon to baste the chicken to coat completely.
  7. Remove chicken from the pan and place on a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining sauce over top. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Taste the sauce before adding to the skillet and adjust honey or vinegar for your preference.

Pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and helps keep the meat tender.

Avoid overcrowding the skillet to get a good sear on the chicken; cook in batches if necessary.

Freshly minced garlic is key for the best flavor, but watch it carefully to prevent burning.

Nutrition

545
Calories
17g
Sugar
28g
Fat
21g
Carbs

About the Author

James Carter
November 28, 2025
I learned to cook from two amazing women: my mom and my aunt. My mom, who passed away in 2021, was the heart of our kitchen. I've stayed in the home we shared, continuing the tradition of home-cooked meals that bring comfort and connection.

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