Sautéed Chicken with Cinnamon and Honey Glaze
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a fragrant cinnamon and honey sauce, balancing warm spices with natural sweetness. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, ground cinnamon, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breast
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 pieces of chicken breast (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté with the chicken for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp honey and 1/4 cup water, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Cinnamon and Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Chicken with Cinnamon and 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 breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Cinnamon and 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 Sautéed Chicken with Cinnamon and Honey Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Chicken with Cinnamon and Honey Glaze?
Middle Eastern 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.