Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl - 30-Minute Dinner

This honey garlic chicken bowl is the dinner I make when I need something good on the table fast. It's just chicken breast, rice, and broccoli, but the sauce does all the heavy lifting. Sweet, garlicky, a little sticky – it coats every bite.

You cook the chicken in a skillet, make the sauce right in the same pan, and pour it over bowls of rice and steamed broccoli. It's a one-pan main with a simple side. From start to finish, it takes about thirty minutes.

My kids ask for this one by name. The sauce is sweet enough for them, and you can dial the garlic up or down to suit your family. It's the kind of meal that feels like a treat, even on a Tuesday.

About the Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Cut into bite-sized pieces. If you prefer dark meat, use boneless thighs – they stay juicy.

1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour

For dredging. You can use cornstarch for a lighter, crispier coating.

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Adds flavor to the chicken coating. Onion powder works too.

1/2 teaspoon salt

Season the chicken well.

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Freshly ground is best.

2 tablespoons olive oil

For frying. Use a neutral oil like canola if you prefer.

1/3 cup (80ml) honey

The star of the sauce. If your honey is crystallized, warm it slightly.

4 cloves garlic, minced

Fresh garlic is key. Reduce to 2 cloves for a milder flavor.

1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce

Use tamari for gluten-free.

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Adds a gentle tang. Apple cider vinegar works in a pinch.

1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth

Keeps the sauce from getting too thick. You can use water if needed.

1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

The slurry thickens the sauce at the end.

4 cups cooked white rice

For serving. Brown rice or cauliflower rice are great swaps.

4 cups broccoli florets, steamed

Steam or blanch until bright green and tender-crisp.

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

For garnish. Toasted sesame seeds add extra nuttiness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the chicken

Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess.

2. Brown the chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal). Remove to a plate.

3. Make the sauce

In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.

4. Thicken the sauce

Stir the cornstarch slurry, then pour it into the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

5. Coat the chicken

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Let it bubble for a minute so the sauce clings.

6. Assemble the bowls

Divide the rice among four bowls. Top with steamed broccoli and a generous scoop of honey garlic chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

7. Serve warm

Serve immediately. This is great on its own, but you could add a drizzle of sriracha for heat or a squeeze of lime for brightness.

Delicious Variations

• Swap the chicken for shrimp or tofu. Reduce the cooking time for shrimp to 2-3 minutes per side.
• Add a kick with 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha in the sauce.
• Make it a meal prep bowl by dividing into airtight containers. It keeps well for up to 4 days in the fridge.

How to Store 6 Easy Chicken Meal Ideas 1 Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope this honey garlic chicken bowl becomes a regular in your kitchen. It's one of those meals that makes everyone happy, and you can have it on the table in about half an hour. From my table to yours.

Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl – 30-Minute Dinner

Make this easy honey garlic chicken bowl with juicy chicken breast, rice, and broccoli in 30 minutes. A sweet-savory sauce the whole family loves.

15 minPrep time20 minCook time4Servings485 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup (80ml) honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 4 cups broccoli florets, steamed
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

📋 Instructions

1. 1Prep the chicken — Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess.
2. 2Brown the chicken — Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal). Remove to a plate.
3. 3Make the sauce — In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
4. 4Thicken the sauce — Stir the cornstarch slurry, then pour it into the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
5. 5Coat the chicken — Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Let it bubble for a minute so the sauce clings.
6. 6Assemble the bowls — Divide the rice among four bowls. Top with steamed broccoli and a generous scoop of honey garlic chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
7. 7Serve warm — Serve immediately. This is great on its own, but you could add a drizzle of sriracha for heat or a squeeze of lime for brightness.

👨🍳 Chef's Note: For the best texture, serve the chicken right after tossing in the sauce. If you let it sit, the coating softens, but it's still delicious.

Servings: 4

Cuisine: American

Course: Dinner

Easy Recipes for Everyday Cooking15 minutes20 minutes35 minutes

Nutrition (per serving): 485 kcal · 35g protein · 65g carbs · 12g fat