Pan-Seared Chicken with Pekin-Style Spiced Honey Glaze
Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts finished with a sweet and mildly spicy honey glaze inspired by Pekin flavors. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 sliced, for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 chicken breasts dry and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a clean plate.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the spiced honey glaze over them. Cook together for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Pekin-Style Spiced Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Pekin-Style Spiced Honey Glaze?
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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Pekin-Style Spiced Honey Glaze?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Pekin-Style Spiced Honey Glaze 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Pekin-Style Spiced Honey Glaze?
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.
