Looking for easy dinner ideas that don’t taste like a lazy cop-out? This One-Pan Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe is everything you want on a busy weeknight: quick, flavorful, and ready in 30 minutes — with just one pan to wash. It’s tender, saucy, and slightly sticky in the best way… and yes, you’ll definitely be licking your fork clean.
If you’re loving these kinds of easy dinner ideas, don’t miss my roundup of 15 Easy Dinner Ideas for People Who Hate Cooking. It’s packed with zero-stress meals for when you’re over it but still want real food.
Why this belongs in your Easy Dinner Ideas
Let’s be real: dinner doesn’t need to be fancy to be amazing. This recipe nails the balance between effort and payoff. It uses pantry staples (hello, garlic and soy sauce), delivers big on flavor, and comes together with zero stress.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1/4 cup honey
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional but chef’s kiss)
1 tbsp oil
Salt + pepper
Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish
This one pan honey garlic chicken recipe uses only pantry staples and comes together fast
How to Make It
1. Sear the Chicken:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper, then cook for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
2. Make the Sauce:
Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and ginger in a bowl. Pour it into the same skillet and let it simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Coat and Finish:
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and turn to coat in the glossy, garlicky sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
4. Serve:
Pair it with steamed rice or leftover noodles — whatever you’ve got — and you’ve got a solid dinner on the table, fast.
Pin or bookmark this one pan honey garlic chicken recipe for your next “what’s for dinner?” emergency
A Quick Note for Fellow Lazy Cooks
If this recipe is your kind of vibe — easy, tasty, no weird ingredients — I’ve put together something you might find handy. It’s a little PDF I call the Lazy Cook’s Cheat Sheet. Think of it as your go-to for 5-ingredient dinner ideas that don’t demand brainpower or hours in the kitchen. Nothing fancy, just real food you’ll actually make.
It’s $7, and I made it for people like us — who want to eat well, but also want to keep things simple. 💛
Check it out here if that sounds like your speed.
