Easy Honey Garlic Chicken
Easy homemade Honey Garlic Chicken with tamari and apple cider vinegar. Gluten-free, anti-inflammatory dinner ready in 45 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sea salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp raw sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken cubes dry with paper towels, then season generously with half of the sea salt and black pepper on all sides.
- 2
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 3
Work in two batches to brown the chicken: add half the cubes to the hot oil and sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the bottom develops a golden crust.
- 4
Flip each piece and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until light golden, then transfer to a clean plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
- 5
Reduce heat to medium and add the thinly sliced yellow onions to the same skillet, stirring occasionally until they become translucent and soft, about 5-6 minutes.
- 6
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring constantly until fragrant.
- 7
Pour in the tamari, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
- 8
Stir in the raw honey and red pepper flakes, mixing until the honey dissolves completely into the sauce.
- 9
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with any accumulated juices, gently folding to coat evenly with the sauce.
- 10
Drizzle the sesame oil over the mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.
- 11
Simmer on medium heat for 4-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- 12
Create a slurry by stirring the cornstarch mixture one more time, then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency, about 2 minutes.
- 13
Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with remaining sea salt and black pepper as needed.
- 14
Remove from heat and fold in the sliced green onions gently.
- 15
Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro, then serve immediately over your choice of grain or vegetables.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| raw honey | coconut nectar or pure maple syrup | Coconut nectar and maple syrup have lower glycemic indices than regular honey, preventing rapid blood sugar spikes while maintaining sweetness and caramelization |
| cornstarch | arrowroot powder or tapioca starch | Arrowroot and tapioca are easier to digest and less inflammatory than cornstarch, with a similar thickening power and no potential gut irritants |
| boneless, skinless chicken breasts | bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs | Chicken thighs contain more collagen and beneficial fats that support gut health and have better anti-inflammatory properties; they're also more forgiving when cooking |
| sesame oil | avocado oil or walnut oil | Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and better omega-3 balance; walnut oil provides more omega-3s for anti-inflammatory benefits without the strong flavor that sesame can dominate |
| tamari | coconut aminos or liquid smoke with sea salt | Coconut aminos is lower in sodium and contains prebiotics for gut health; liquid smoke adds depth while reducing salt intake significantly |
| yellow onions | shallots or red onions | Shallots and red onions contain higher levels of quercetin and other polyphenols that reduce inflammation and support blood sugar stability |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 445 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 124mg |
| Sodium | 520mg |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 28g |
| Protein | 49g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
