Savory Honey Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken
Today, I was inspired to cook this Honey Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken while reading the Japanese novel Butter. The book lingers on food, and its descriptions of simple meals made with minimal ingredients are especially appealing. This dish grew out of that mindset. It is not traditional Japanese cooking, but it borrows its spirit.
Savory Soy Sauce Glazed Chicken is very close to Teriyaki Chicken, with a slightly different flavor profile. The sauce leans more savory, while teriyaki is sweeter and heavier on umami. Garlic, ginger, honey, and soy sauce come together to create a glossy coating for the stir fried chicken. A sprinkle of sesame seeds at the end adds light crunch and a subtle nutty taste. This recipe is flexible – try bell peppers, snap peas, or cooked broccoli tossed in at the end for extra color and crunch.
This soy glazed chicken pairs beautifully with garlic scallion fried rice. The garlic adds savory depth without sweetness, and the rice happily absorbs extra sauce so none of that glossy glaze goes to waste. Add some cucumbers on the side for a cool, refreshing contrast, and finish with a small pat of butter as a nod to the book.
How to Make Soy Sauce Chicken
Savory and glossy, this honey garlic soy chicken is a teriyaki-style dish with a less sweet, more savory sauce. This comforting stir-fry is ready in under 20 minutes and best served over steamed rice, noodles, or with sauteed greens.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 to 1¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable)
Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1½ tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for slightly thicker glaze)
To finish
- Sesame seeds
- Optional: sliced scallions
