Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (2025)

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This honey butter chicken is crispy, sweet, juicy, and tender, and comes together in 30 minutes! My favorite part about this chicken is that is not deep fried, it is shallowed fried and uses less oil and is less heavy.

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (1)

This butter honey chicken is loaded with flavor and takes minimal ingredients to make. Serve it with rice or mashed potatoes for a delicious lunch or dinner! This chicken is super easy to prepare and tastes like restaurant-style chicken!

I used chicken thighs for this recipe for a more juicy chicken. You can use chicken breasts and chicken tenders for this, but for forming a delicious crust, you may need to cook the chicken a bit more.

This whole recipe comes together in one pan! So not a lot of dishes to wash that I love.

For more delicious chicken recipes, check out my creamy chicken limone, and Greek chicken gyros.

Jump to:
  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Faq's
  • Storing
  • Reheating
  • Freezing
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why this recipe works

  • Simple- This recipe uses simple ingredients that you may have in your kitchen!
  • Flavor- This chicken is sweet, flavorful, and savory, sticky, it is so delicious, it will turn into your new favorite recipe to make!
  • Time- This whole recipe takes under an hour from start to finish!
  • Not deep fried- My favorite thing about this recipe is that it is not deep-fried! It feels like its deep fried chicken without being greasy!
  • Extra moist- This recipe uses chicken thighs for an extra moist chicken!
Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (2)

Ingredients

Before you start to make this honey butter chicken recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.

Full measurements are in the recipe card below.

Chicken-use either chicken thighs or chicken breast for this recipe. we used chicken thighs for this recipe, feel free to use whatever chicken part that you like most.

Cut the chicken into small chunks. Make sure that you are using boneless skinless chicken thighs.

Flour– we used all-purpose flour for this recipe, gluten free flour will work great as well.

Olive oil- use extra virginolive oilfor the best flavor. If you don't want to useolive oil, you can use avocado oil, canola oil, orvegetable oil!

Kosher salt– we used kosher salt in this recipe. You can use sea salt orflakey saltas well.

Black pepper-for flavor. Adjust the black pepper to your personal liking.

Garlic powder-use your favorite brand ofgarlic powder. You will need 1 teaspoon for this recipe.

For the honey butter sauce

Butter-use unsalted butter for this recipe. Only butter will work for this recipe, no margarine, and no coconut oil. Margarine has a weird taste and can ruin the flavor of this dessert.

Honey-use your favorite brand of honey for this recipe.

Garlic-freshly minced garlic will give you the best flavor for any dish. I highly recommend not using frozen minced garlic.

Soy sauce- use light soy sauce for this. The soy sauce deepens the flavor of the sauce and gives it a savory flavor.

Instructions

In a large bowl or a large flat plate, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (3)

Add the chicken chunks and coat them well with the flour mixture.

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (4)

Heat a large pan with oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken on each side until it is crispy and golden brown on the outside.

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (5)

Remove the chicken from the pan while you make the sauce (Place the cooked chicken on a plate).

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (6)

Melt the butter over medium heat along with the honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix well and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.

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Add the chicken to the sauce and mix well and cook for another minute or so to let the sauce cling to the crust. Serve hot and enjoy!

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (8)
Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (9)

Expert Tips

  • You can use your favorite parts of chicken for this recipe. Like chicken thighs, chicken tenders, and chicken breasts. Ensure that you clean the chicken and that there are no bones for easy eating.
  • Do not disturb the chicken! Let the chicken cook for at least 5 minutes without flipping it so it will have time to properly form a crust.
  • I highly recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe. This will keep the chicken moist and tender while allowing the chicken to form a crust on the outside.
Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (10)

Faq's

How long does this chicken last?

This chicken dish will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to serve this dish?

You can serve this dish with mashed potatoes, freshly made pasta, cauliflower rice, roasted vegetables, rice, etc.

What does honey butter chicken taste like?

This chicken tastes sticky and sweet but also savory chicken bites that are soft and juicy on the inside and crispy and sticky on the outside. You are going to love this dish!

Can I make this without the flour crust?

Yes. But I don't recommend it. If you are gluten-free, use gluten-free flour! The flour crust doesn't only gives this chicken a delicious texture, but also absorbs the sauce which makes every bite flavorful!

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Storing

If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Reheating

Reheat this chicken in the microwave or in the toaster oven (or regular oven) until it is warm. Don't overheat to not dry the chicken.

Freezing

I do not recommend freezing this chicken. It has the best texture and juiciness while being made fresh. It is okay to reheat it a day, or two later, but the freezer might ruin the texture of this chicken and will dry it out.

Substitutions

Chicken-you can swap the chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts or swap them with chicken tenderloins.

Gluten-free- you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.

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Variations

Dairy-free-to make this dish dairy free, simply swap the butter with vegan butter.

Spicy-you can make this dish spicy by adding a pinch or two ofcayenne pepper. Add it to your personal liking.

More chicken recipes

Marry me chicken- This marry me chicken is the perfect chicken dinner that is herby, creamy, tender, juicy, and goes perfectly with pasta or rice! This chicken dish is so delish that if you make it for your partner, you may get a marriage proposal!

Cast iron chicken- Thiscast ironskillet chicken is super easy to make, perfectly seasoned golden brown chicken that is tender and juicy and goes perfectly with any side dish!

Air fryer chicken tenders- These air fryer chicken tenders are crispy, tender, juicy, and loaded with delicious flavor. They take under 30 minutes to make and are super easy to throw together for a quick lunch or dinner.

If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. We love hearing from you.

If you liked this recipe

📖 Recipe

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (13)

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!)

Rich and delish

This honey butter chicken is crispy, sweet, juicy, and tender, and comes together in 30 minutes! My favorite part about this chicken is that is not deep fried, it is shallowed fried and uses less oil, and is less heavy.

5 from 20 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 5

Calories 639 kcal

Ingredients

For the honey butter sauce

  • cup Honey
  • 100 g Butter unsalted
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon Soy sauce light soy sauce

Instructions

  • In a large bowl or a large flat plate, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

  • Add the chicken chunks and coat them well with the flour mixture.

  • Heat a large pan with oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken on each side until it is crispy and golden brown on the outside.

  • Remove the chicken from the pan while you make the sauce (Place the cooked chicken on a plate).

  • Melt the butter over medium heat along with the honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix well and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.

  • Add the chicken to the sauce and mix well and cook for another minute or so to let the sauce cling to the crust. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can use your favorite parts of chicken for this recipe. Like chicken thighs, chicken tenders, and chicken breasts. Ensure that you clean the chicken and that there are no bones for easy eating.
  • Do not disturb the chicken! Let the chicken cook for at least 5 minutes without flipping it so it will have time to properly form a crust.
  • I highly recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe. This will keep the chicken moist and tender while allowing the chicken to form a crust on the outside.

Nutrition

Calories: 639kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 29gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 1196mgPotassium: 394mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 645IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Honey Butter Chicken

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy Fudala

    I used rice flour and it worked well. My husband and I both liked the dish, but it was a little too sweet. Thanks for posting this recipe.

    Reply

  2. JENNIFER

    This recipe was the best! Why i stayed away from this is beyond me. So easy and taste so good Thank you!

    Reply

  3. Katrina

    Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (14)
    A very easy and delicious weeknight meal!

    Reply

5 from 20 votes (19 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!) (2025)

FAQs

How do you thicken butter chicken without cream? ›

Use wheat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour plus a fat (like ghee, olive oil, or coconut oil) in equal amounts. Cook both ingredients for a few minutes to cook out the raw flour taste, then add your curry ingredients. Once the whole curry dish comes to a boil, the sauce will thicken.

Why is my butter chicken tasteless? ›

As you have discovered, even a heavily spiced dish can taste bland if there is not enough salt or umami flavouring. In the case of your Butter Chicken recipe, first of all I'd ensure the spices you use are fresh, and clearly have an aroma. Stale spices won't taste of much. Secondly, a good dish is a balanced dish.

Why is my butter chicken too thick? ›

If needed add in chicken broth, a little at a time to reach a desired consistency. Add in 2-3 Tbsp butter for a silky smooth flavorful sauce. If too thick, add in a little chicken broth.

Does butter chicken contain honey? ›

There's a copious quantity of butter (after all it is butter chicken!), cream and honey. But I assure you it's worth every spoonful. The chicken is marinated & grilled before adding it to the makhani sauce. Tandoori chicken pieces added to the sauce enhance the flavour of the overall dish.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream in butter chicken? ›

Similarly to half-and-half, milk makes a good heavy cream substitute when it's combined with melted butter. Combine 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted butter for every cup of heavy cream.

How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

As we've mentioned, some Indian dishes use a cream-based curry sauce. Usually using a cream is combined with other thickening and flavour-adding ingredients, such as carmelized onions blended into a paste (or simply minced and clarified).

Should butter chicken be sweet or spicy? ›

Unlike most Indian curries where the preparation of the base starts with a blend of onion and a ginger garlic paste cooked in oil, butter chicken uses tomato as a base and is cooked in butter, giving it a slightly sweet flavor. Cashews and almonds add to the sweetness and richness of the dish.

What is the difference between butter chicken and tikka masala? ›

Butter chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is rich and creamy with a subtle smoky flavor. At the same time, tikka masala is a British Indian dish with a more complex flavor profile with tangy and spicy notes. Butter chicken is generally sweeter and milder in spiciness, while tikka masala is tangy and spicy.

What is a substitute for tomato paste in butter chicken? ›

How to Substitute Tomato Sauce or Puree for Tomato Paste. You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

What thickens butter chicken sauce? ›

Key ingredients in our butter chicken recipe

Yoghurt: Greek-style yoghurt thickens the sauce and adds a creamy lusciousness to the dish (plus a cooling quality and yoghurt tang).

How do you get the tangy taste out of butter chicken? ›

Here Are 5 Easy Tips To Remove Excess Sourness From Curries:
  1. Dilute The Dish. The best thing you can do to save an extremely sour curry is by diluting it. ...
  2. Add Sugar. Sugar is one of the most effective ingredients when it comes to adjusting flavours in a dish. ...
  3. Use Baking Soda. ...
  4. Add Cream. ...
  5. Add Some Vegetables.
May 19, 2023

How do you reduce the bitterness in butter chicken? ›

Tips to Remove a Bitter Taste

Add a pinch of salt to a bitter dish. Sprinkle in a pinch of baking soda. Add acidic flavors to the dish, like lemon juice or vinegar. Add some heat to your food with spicier ingredients, like cayenne or red pepper.

Does Chick Fil A use honey butter? ›

Bite-sized Chick-fil-A® Nuggets nestled in warm, mini yeast rolls that are lightly brushed with a honey butter spread.

Why add cashews to butter chicken? ›

In many recipes for butter chicken, copious amounts of butter and heavy cream supply richness, but we do as we were taught in India and use cashews pureed with a small amount of water until smooth. The nut puree adds creaminess without making the dish heavy.

What is a substitute for honey in honey chicken? ›

Light corn syrup would be the best flavor match, but dark corn syrup will work, too. Other options to try include golden syrup, maple syrup or molasses (not blackstrap). These substitutes can replace honey measure for measure.

How do you thicken sauce without cream? ›

Use two tablespoons flour mixed with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix in the water to prevent lumps. After stirring the combined flour and water into the sauce, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Heat one minute more to cook the flour thoroughly.

How do you thicken curry without heavy cream? ›

To thicken curries naturally, consider using ingredients like coconut milk, yogurt, ground nuts, or pureed vegetables such as tomatoes or onions. Alternatively, you can create a slurry with cornstarch or flour and water and stir it into the curry to achieve the desired consistency.

What is a substitute for cream to thicken sauce? ›

Milk and cornstarch

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

How do you thicken runny butter cream? ›

To thicken your buttercream when you've added too much liquid, simply add more powdered sugar, 2-3 Tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. If it's more of a matter of the kitchen temperature being too warm, pop your buttercream into the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes.

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