Sautéed Chicken with Honey Garlic and Toasted Sesame
Tender chicken breasts quickly sautéed in a honey garlic sauce with toasted sesame seeds for a sweet and nutty flavor. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) chicken breast, honey, minced garlic cloves 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 (about 6 oz each) chicken breast
- 3 tbsp honey
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) and season evenly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side until golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken breasts and cook another 5 minutes on the second side until cooked through and juices run clear.
- Step 4: In the last 2 minutes, add 3 tbsp honey, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp soy sauce to the pan, spoon the sauce over chicken and let it thicken slightly while the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds evenly over the chicken, and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Honey Garlic and Toasted Sesame 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 Honey Garlic and Toasted Sesame?
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 honey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Honey Garlic and Toasted Sesame?
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 Honey Garlic and Toasted Sesame 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 Honey Garlic and Toasted Sesame?
Asian 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.
