Honey-Garlic Chicken with Steamed Green Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet-savory honey-garlic sauce, served with vibrant, perfectly crisp-tender green beans for a simple weeknight meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and 3 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl.
  3. Step 3: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water in a separate bowl to create a slurry.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Step 5: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Step 6: Flip chicken and cook for 5 minutes, then pour honey-garlic sauce over the chicken.
  7. Step 7: Add cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, about 2 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  9. Step 9: While chicken simmers, steam 1.5 lbs trimmed green beans for 5-7 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Garlic Chicken with Steamed Green Beans take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Honey-Garlic Chicken with Steamed Green Beans?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Garlic Chicken with Steamed Green Beans?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey-Garlic Chicken with Steamed Green Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Honey-Garlic Chicken with Steamed Green Beans?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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