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A Citrus Honey Chicken skillet dinner with golden chicken, orange slices, and a glossy honey-citrus sauce, on a white table.

Citrus Honey Chicken: Easy 30-Minute Skillet Recipe

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This is my favorite 30 Minute Chicken Dinner! This Citrus Honey Chicken recipe is like sunshine on a plate. It’s a quick chicken recipe dinner where tender chicken breasts are simmered in a bright and beautiful Skillet Chicken with Honey and Citrus glaze. The sauce is a perfect blend of Orange Honey Chicken and Lemon Honey Chicken flavors. It’s an Easy Honey Chicken Recipe that’s ready in one pan and tastes like you spent hours on it!

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 medium breasts)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Honey Citrus Sauce:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 large orange)

  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)

  • Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear Chicken: In a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted and foamy, place the chicken in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until beautifully golden brown.
  3. Set Chicken Aside: Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: Turn the heat down to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Create Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, fresh orange juice, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk everything together, gently scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 3-4 minutes, until it begins to thicken slightly.
  7. Finish Cooking: Return the chicken breasts (and any juices from the plate) to the skillet. Let the chicken simmer gently in the sauce for 5-7 more minutes, spooning the glaze over the top as it cooks.
  8. The chicken is done when it’s cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Rest: Let the chicken rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm, with plenty of that delicious extra sauce spooned over the top!

Notes

  • Fresh Juice is Key!: My most important tip! The bright, sunny flavor of this Honey Citrus Chicken Recipe comes from using freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice. It truly makes all the difference!
  • Let it Rest: Please let the chicken rest for 5 minutes (in the pan is fine!) before you slice it. This is the secret to keeping it wonderfully tender and juicy.
  • Don’t Crowd the Pan: To get that beautiful golden-brown crust, sear your chicken in a single layer. If your pan is small, it’s always better to work in two batches.
  • Try Chicken Thighs: This recipe is also absolutely delicious with boneless, skinless chicken thighs! They may just need an extra 2-3 minutes to simmer in the sauce.
  • Storage: Leftovers are wonderful! Store the cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat (with a splash of broth) for the best results.
  • Author: Ellie
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://www.spoonfulhome.com/citrus-honey-chicken/