If you know me, you know my love for easy dinners, especially with having a very active toddler. We're big chicken eaters in my house, and while we love my creamy tuscan chicken recipe, or chicken francese, a yummy, one pan dinner like this sticky honey chicken is exactly what we need on nights where all I want to do make dinner, clean up, and relax. This recipe comes together with just 7 ingredients, and is one of the tastiest dinners you'll make.
*This blog post is sponsored by Local Hive Honey. Your support on my sponsored posts and recipes continues to allow me to provide you with delicious recipes!*
This recipe is inspired by the delicious Cali Citrus honey from Local Hive Honey, as well as other chicken recipes I have on my site such as chicken francese and my one pot cajun chicken and rice.
Why cook with honey?
Cooking with honey gives the entire dish a yummy, sweet flavor, and also adds a beautiful color. I love using Local Hive Honey in my cooking, as they have a wide variety of honey to choose from. Since 1924, Local Hive Honey has been bottling over 20 different honey blends, all from the United States. This is super important as Local Hive Honey continues to support American beekeepers.
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What do I need for this recipe?
Making this sticky chicken recipe takes just 7 ingredients and is ready in no time!
- Chicken breast: Cubed, diced, or in long strips is what we're after for this dish.
- Honey: The reason this recipe is called sticky chicken, as the honey creates a "sticky" and sweet texture
- Coconut Aminos: Adds to the overall flavor of the dish, and the color. I
- Orange juice and zest: A little citrus goes a long way for a dish.
- Pineapple juice: Another ingredient that adds to the sticky aspect, and gives a little more sweetness.
- Arrowroot Powder: This helps to thicken the sauce, and it can be found in most grocery stores.
- Salt and Pepper
How do I make this recipe?
This honey chicken recipe is quite possibly the easiest, most delicious chicken dinner that will take no time from start to finish. My son, who tends to not like "sauce" even devoured this, and asked for more!
Pat dry the chicken breasts and dice into smaller cubes.In a large frying pan, add the diced chicken with olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken until the chicken is brown on all sides.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the coconut aminos, honey, pineapple juice, and orange juice.Pour the honey mixture into the pan with the chicken to deglaze the pan and coat the chicken.Lower the flame to a medium-low/low heat, then add in the arrowroot to thicken the sauce. Continue to toss the chicken in the sauce until full coated and the consistency becomes thicker, enough to slightly coat the back of a spoon. Toss with white rice and serve with fresh orange zest.
HINT: Measure the orange juice when you are adding it to the sauce. In development of this recipe, I did not do that and squeezed the orange directly in and it was too sweet. So, follow the directions in the recipe card, and don't do what I did 😉
Swaps and Substitutions:
Do I need to use arrowroot or can I use cornstarch?
You can use cornstarch if you are unable, or do not want, to buy arrowroot. I happen to always have this on hand, so that's why I use it!
How can I make this dish ahead of time?
Prep all of the ingredients the morning of or the day before (cutting the chicken into cubes, and mixing the sauce). Once you're ready to cook, grab your trusty frying pan and get going!
I can't find coconut aminos, does soy sauce work?
Yes! Coconut aminos is a substitute for soy sauce, so feel free to use soy sauce if that's what you have on hand.
How do I serve this recipe?
One of the reasons this honey chicken recipe is a favorite is that it does not require a ton of ingredients, nor does it require a stovetop start and an oven finish. The entire dish is made in just one pan, in two separate steps, and can be served with just about any side you desire!
- Throw it over some buttery orzo
- Pair with bone broth rice
- Add to a freshly roasted veggies
No matter how you serve it, you're going to love it!
What tools or kitchen equipment do I need?
A few kitchen tools is all you need to get this recipe done!
- Large frying pan
- Tongs
- Four small bowls (for measuring the coconut aminos or soy sauce, orange juice, honey, and pineapple juice)
- If you are making rice or pasta with this recipe, you'll need a small pot of water.
How do I store this recipe?
This recipe is not meant to be frozen, but you can easily reheat the next day. Due to the honey and reheating, it is recommended to reheat on the stove on a low flame rather than in the refrigerator. Also, consider keeping the rice or the side separate from the chicken itself.
PRO TIP:
Add some fresh herbs into the mix to give it a rounded and balanced flavor. Sometimes when there's a lot of sweet or citrus, it can taste a bit unbalanced, so herbs like thyme or rosemary go well with this recipe.
Hungry for more?
Try out some of the others yummy dinners!
Sticky Honey Chicken
Equipment
- 1 frying pan
- 3 small mixing bowls
- 1 tongs
- 1 small pot for rice, optional
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts diced
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon zest of orange
- 3 tablespoon Local Hive Honey Cali Citrus honey
- ¼ cup coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken breasts and dice into smaller cubes.
- In a large frying pan, add the diced chicken with olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken until the chicken is brown on all sides.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the coconut aminos, honey, pineapple juice, and orange juice.
- Pour the honey mixture into the pan with the chicken to deglaze the pan and coat the chicken.
- Lower the flame to a medium-low/low heat, then add in the arrowroot to thicken the sauce. Continue to toss the chicken in the sauce until full coated and the consistency becomes thicker, enough to slightly coat the back of a spoon.
- Toss with white rice and serve with fresh orange zest.
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