This Honey Garlic Ground Chicken Skillet is a quick one-pan meal with a glossy, savory-sweet sauce. It comes together in under 30 minutes for a satisfying weeknight dinner. The honey garlic glaze clings perfectly to tender ground chicken.
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Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Ground Chicken Skillet
- One-pan wonder: Maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
- Glossy, balanced sauce: A savory-sweet glaze that isn’t overly sweet.
- Incredibly versatile: Adapts to bowls, lettuce cups, or wraps.
- Comes together fast: Ready in about 15 minutes of active cooking.
Ingredients & Tools
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup sugar-free honey substitute or a light, low-carb honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Tools: A large (10-12 inch) skillet, a wooden spoon or spatula, a small bowl for whisking the sauce.
Notes: Freshly minced garlic and grated ginger provide the most vibrant flavor. Don’t skip the sesame oil at the end for authentic nutty depth.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 285 kcal |
| Protein: | 24 g |
| Fat: | 16 g |
| Carbs: | 8 g |
| Fiber: | 1 g |
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- Get your mise en place ready. This recipe moves quickly once you start cooking. Having your garlic minced, ginger grated, and sauce whisked together in a small bowl beforehand will make the process seamless and prevent anything from burning.
- Choose your ground chicken wisely. A mix of dark and white meat will give you the most flavor and juiciness. If you can only find lean ground chicken breast, just be extra careful not to overcook it, as it can dry out more easily.
- Don’t be shy with the aromatics. Garlic and ginger are the soul of this dish. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove or two—it will only make it better. The ginger should be fresh and fragrant, adding a little zing that cuts through the richness.
- Understand your honey substitute. If you’re using a sugar-free syrup designed to mimic honey, know that it might be slightly thinner than real honey. The sauce will still thicken beautifully as it reduces, but it might take a minute or two less.
How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Chicken Skillet
Step 1: Start by prepping all your ingredients. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the green onions, separating the white and light green parts from the dark green tops. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or coconut aminos), your honey substitute, and the rice vinegar. This is your sauce mixture—set it aside within easy reach.
Step 2: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground chicken. Use your wooden spoon to break it up into small crumbles. You’ll want to cook this for about 5-7 minutes, until it’s no longer pink and has developed some golden-brown spots. Those browned bits equal flavor, so don’t rush this step!
Step 3: Push the chicken to one side of the skillet, creating a little empty space. To that space, add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white/light green parts of the green onions. If you’re using red pepper flakes, add them now too. Sauté for just 30-60 seconds—you’ll notice the most incredible aroma blooming—until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter.
Step 4: Now, mix the aromatics in with the chicken so everything is combined. Give your pre-mixed sauce another quick whisk (the ingredients can settle) and pour it over the chicken. Stir everything together to ensure every bit of chicken is coated in that glorious sauce.
Step 5: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it bubble gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll see the sauce start to reduce, thicken, and become beautifully glossy as it coats the back of your spoon. This is when the magic happens—the flavors are melding and concentrating.
Step 6: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, turn off the heat. Now, stir in the teaspoon of sesame oil. This is a finishing oil, and its delicate nutty flavor will be most pronounced if added at the very end, off the heat. Taste and adjust if needed—sometimes a tiny extra splash of rice vinegar can brighten everything up perfectly.
Step 7: Transfer your Honey Garlic Ground Chicken to a serving dish or simply serve it right from the skillet for a rustic, family-style presentation. Garnish generously with the reserved dark green parts of the green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The vibrant green and white specks make it look as good as it tastes.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in refrigerator before reheating.
- Reviving: Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- Cauliflower Rice — The classic, fluffy base that soaks up the sauce beautifully without weighing you down.
- Simple Steamed Broccoli — Its mild, fresh flavor and crisp-tender texture provide a perfect contrast to the rich, saucy chicken.
- Butter Lettuce Cups — For a light, hands-on meal that adds a wonderful fresh and crunchy element.
Drinks
- Jasmine Iced Tea — The floral notes of jasmine tea are a surprisingly elegant pairing that cleanses the palate between bites.
- Dry Riesling — If you enjoy wine, a glass of off-dry Riesling complements the sweet and savory notes in the dish wonderfully.
- Sparkling Water with Lime — The bubbles and citrus cut through the richness of the sauce, making each bite taste fresh and new.
Something Sweet
- Mixed Berry Compote — A quick-cooked mix of raspberries and blackberries, slightly sweetened, provides a tart and refreshing finish.
- Dark Chocolate Square — A single square of high-cocoa dark chocolate is a simple, sophisticated way to end the meal on a rich note.
- Chia Seed Pudding — A cool, creamy chia pudding made with vanilla and coconut milk feels like a decadent dessert but keeps things light.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the garlic and ginger. They only need a very quick sauté to release their oils and fragrance. If you burn them, they’ll impart a bitter, acrid flavor that can overshadow the whole dish.
- Using a skillet that’s too small. Crowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of browning it. You need that surface area to get proper browning and to allow the sauce to reduce effectively. A 10-12 inch skillet is ideal.
- Skipping the reduction simmer.
Honey Garlic Ground Chicken Skillet
Make this easy Honey Garlic Ground Chicken Skillet in under 30 minutes! A savory-sweet one-pan meal perfect for busy nights. Get the simple recipe here!
Ingredients
For the Ingredients
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1 lb ground chicken (450 g)
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1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
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4-5 cloves garlic (minced)
-
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
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1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
-
1/4 cup sugar-free honey substitute or a light, low-carb honey
-
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
-
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
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2 green onions (sliced)
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1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
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Start by prepping all your ingredients. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the green onions, separating the white and light green parts from the dark green tops. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or coconut aminos), your honey substitute, and the rice vinegar. This is your sauce mixture—set it aside within easy reach.01
-
Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground chicken. Use your wooden spoon to break it up into small crumbles. You’ll want to cook this for about 5-7 minutes, until it’s no longer pink and has developed some golden-brown spots. Those browned bits equal flavor, so don’t rush this step!02
-
Push the chicken to one side of the skillet, creating a little empty space. To that space, add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white/light green parts of the green onions. If you're using red pepper flakes, add them now too. Sauté for just 30-60 seconds—you’ll notice the most incredible aroma blooming—until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter.03
-
Now, mix the aromatics in with the chicken so everything is combined. Give your pre-mixed sauce another quick whisk (the ingredients can settle) and pour it over the chicken. Stir everything together to ensure every bit of chicken is coated in that glorious sauce.04
-
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it bubble gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll see the sauce start to reduce, thicken, and become beautifully glossy as it coats the back of your spoon. This is when the magic happens—the flavors are melding and concentrating.05
-
Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, turn off the heat. Now, stir in the teaspoon of sesame oil. This is a finishing oil, and its delicate nutty flavor will be most pronounced if added at the very end, off the heat. Taste and adjust if needed—sometimes a tiny extra splash of rice vinegar can brighten everything up perfectly.06
-
Transfer your Honey Garlic Ground Chicken to a serving dish or simply serve it right from the skillet for a rustic, family-style presentation. Garnish generously with the reserved dark green parts of the green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The vibrant green and white specks make it look as good as it tastes.07
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