Skip to content 
Honey Garlic Chicken is the kind of dinner I lean on when it is 6:12 pm, everyone is hungry, and I have zero energy for complicated steps. I also love it because it hits both sides of the craving, sweet and sticky from honey, savory and punchy from garlic. If you are gluten free (or cooking for someone who is), this is one of those meals that still feels like comfort food and not a sad substitute. And if you are a fan of set it and forget it nights, you should peek at my favorite gluten free slow cooker recipes for the days you just cannot babysit the stove. Today, though, we are doing it fast, in one pan, with a glossy sauce you will want to spoon over everything. 
Terrific quick chicken breast recipe
I am calling this a “quick chicken breast recipe” because it genuinely is. No long marinade, no special equipment, and no mystery ingredients you will use once and forget in the back of the cupboard.
The big win here is the sauce. You get that takeout style shine and cling without gluten because we thicken it with a simple gluten free thickener. The chicken stays tender if you avoid overcooking it, and the whole thing goes from fridge to plate in about 25 minutes if you are moving at a normal weeknight pace.
Also, this is a good recipe for people who think chicken breast is boring. The sauce fixes that. You get sweet from honey, salty from tamari, and a garlicky smell that makes the kitchen feel instantly cozy.
If you want a similar vibe but even more buttery and simple, this one is a lifesaver too: savory gluten free garlic butter chicken. Different flavor, same easy energy.
One more thing. This Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken is forgiving. If you only have small chicken breasts, it works. If you only have big ones, slice them in half. If you have pre minced garlic, use it. Just keep an eye on your heat so nothing scorches.
How to make Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
This is where I get super practical because this is the part you actually need at 5 pm. I make Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken in a skillet most of the time, but you can absolutely adapt it to what you have.
Ingredients and what you will need
- Chicken breast (about 1.5 pounds), sliced into cutlets for faster cooking
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced (yes, it is a lot, and yes, it is worth it)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons gluten free tamari (or gluten free soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional, helps loosen sauce)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water (your slurry)
- Optional: pinch of chili flakes, sesame seeds, sliced green onion
Gluten free note: Tamari is usually gluten free, but always check the label. Regular soy sauce is not gluten free. Also check your broth because some brands sneak wheat in.
Step by step directions
1) Slice the chicken breast into thinner cutlets. This is the easiest way to keep it tender and make it cook quickly.
2) Season both sides with salt and pepper.
3) Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through. Move it to a plate.
4) Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and stir for about 20 to 30 seconds. You want it fragrant, not brown and bitter.
5) Stir in honey, tamari, and vinegar. Add broth if you want a little more sauce to pour over rice.
6) Bring it to a gentle simmer, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry. The sauce will thicken fast, usually within 30 to 60 seconds.
7) Add the chicken back in and spoon sauce over it for another minute or two.
That is it. Sticky, shiny, and it smells unreal.
Here is a quick little organizer that helps if you are juggling sides too:
And because people always ask, yes, this Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken is meal prep friendly. The sauce actually gets even better after it sits overnight.
If you want another version of the same flavor family, I have a dedicated post you can follow here: deliciously simple gluten free honey garlic chicken.
“I made this for my gluten free husband and my picky kid, and both asked for seconds. The sauce was the star. I spooned it over broccoli and rice and honestly wanted to drink it.”
What to serve with Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
This sauce is bold, so I like serving it with something that can soak it up. The first time I made Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken, I only had plain rice and a bag of frozen green beans. It still felt like a real dinner, and that is the magic here.
Here are my go to sides:
Carbs that work: jasmine rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or rice noodles.
Veggies that love the sauce: steamed broccoli, stir fried snap peas, roasted carrots, sautéed spinach, or a crunchy cucumber salad.
Quick pantry add ons: canned pineapple (sounds weird, tastes great), roasted cashews, sesame seeds, or a squeeze of lime.
If you are trying to keep it lighter, do cauliflower rice or a big salad and just drizzle the extra sauce over everything like a dressing. No shame in that.
And if you are in a cozy mood and want a full comfort dinner plan for the week, you can pair this with leftovers from a pot of comforting gluten free chicken soup on another night. That is my kind of practical meal planning.
More quick and easy chicken breast recipes
I get stuck in “chicken breast again?” mode sometimes, so I keep a small rotation that never fails. Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken is one of the repeat winners because it tastes like effort even when it is not.
When you want something crispy instead of saucy, chicken strips are a whole mood. I like these for family nights: crispy and delicious gluten free chicken strips. They are great with simple dips and a big salad.
For busy weeknights, another easy idea is a bowl style dinner where you can use up random veggies in the fridge. If that is your thing, check out a gluten free chicken rice bowl and make it your own.
My general tip for quick chicken breast success is simple: slice it thinner, use medium heat once the pan is hot, and do not keep flipping it every 10 seconds. Let it cook, then let it rest on the plate while you build the sauce.
Topping Ideas:
If you want to make your plate look and taste like you tried extra hard, toppings are the easiest trick. They take Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken from “good weeknight dinner” to “I would serve this to friends.”
My favorite finishing touches
Pick one or stack a couple. Just do not drown out the sauce.
- Sesame seeds for crunch and that classic look
- Sliced green onions for freshness
- Chili flakes or a tiny drizzle of sriracha for heat
- Fresh cilantro if you love it
- Toasted chopped peanuts or cashews for a salty bite
- Extra squeeze of lime to brighten everything up
My personal favorite combo is sesame seeds plus green onion plus a few chili flakes. It makes the whole thing feel balanced, not just sweet.
Common Questions
1) How do I keep chicken breast from drying out?
Slice it into cutlets and cook just until done. Also let it rest on the plate while you make the sauce, then warm it back up in the sauce for a minute.
2) What makes it gluten free, and what should I double check?
Use gluten free tamari or gluten free soy sauce and check labels on broth and any spice blends. That is usually where gluten hides.
3) Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so add a splash of water when reheating.
4) Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely. Thighs stay juicy and are very forgiving. Just cook a bit longer and make sure they are fully done.
5) My sauce is too thick or too thin. What do I do?
Too thick: add a splash of broth or water and stir. Too thin: simmer 1 to 2 minutes longer, or add a tiny bit more slurry.
A sweet, sticky dinner you will actually make again
If you try Sweet & Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken once, you will get why it stays on repeat in my house. It is fast, it is cozy, and it makes plain chicken breast taste exciting without being fussy. If you want to compare styles or see another approach, I also like Honey Garlic Chicken Breast – RecipeTin Eats for extra inspiration. Make it tonight, spoon that sauce over rice, and do not forget a crunchy topping. Then come back and tell me what you served it with, because I am always looking for new side ideas.
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Chicken breast, sliced into cutlets For faster cooking.
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 4-6 cloves Garlic, minced Yes, it is a lot, and yes, it is worth it.
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 3 tablespoons Gluten free tamari (or gluten free soy sauce) Check the label for gluten-free.
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth (optional) Helps loosen sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch or arrowroot mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water For thickening the sauce.
Optional Toppings
- pinch Chili flakes
- to taste Sesame seeds
- to taste Sliced green onion
Instructions
Preparation
- Slice the chicken breast into thinner cutlets.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, until cooked through. Move it to a plate.
Cooking
- Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and stir for about 20 to 30 seconds.
- Stir in honey, tamari, and vinegar. Add broth if desired.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
- Add the chicken back in and spoon sauce over it for another minute or two.
1 thought on “Sweet Savory Gluten Free Honey Garlic Chicken”