Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Total: 25 mins | Serves: 4
Best For: Weeknight dinners, family meals, meal prep, quick & easy cooking

Introduction

This easy one-pan honey soy chicken is everything you want in a weeknight meal — tender chicken simmered in a glossy honey soy sauce that’s sweet, savoury, and perfectly balanced. It uses simple pantry staples and cooks in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy families.

Serve it over rice with steamed vegetables, toss it with noodles, or enjoy it on its own for a fast, comforting dish everyone will love.

Gathering the Ingredients

You will need:

• 600g chicken thigh fillets, sliced into strips

• 1 tablespoon oil

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional but recommended)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

• ½ cup water

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• Sesame seeds, for garnish

• Spring onion, sliced (optional)

Optional additions:

• Add chilli flakes for heat

• Add broccoli, carrots, or capsicum for a full one-pan meal

• Replace honey with brown sugar for a deeper flavour

Instructions

1. Heat the pan
   Add oil to a large pan over medium-high heat.

2. Cook the chicken
   Add sliced chicken and season with pepper.
   Cook until lightly browned on both sides.

3. Make the honey soy sauce
   In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and water.

4. Simmer the chicken
   Pour sauce over the chicken.
   Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8–10 minutes.

5. Thicken the sauce
   Mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry.
   Stir into the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and thick.

6. Serve
   Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onion.
   Serve with rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Helpful Tips

• Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender in this recipe.

• Add vegetables during the simmering stage for a full meal in one pan.

• Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey.

• Sauce thickens quickly — keep an eye on it.

• Great for meal prep; reheats beautifully.

Why This Recipe Works

• One pan = minimal cleanup

• Sweet and savoury flavour kids love

• Budget-friendly ingredients

• Fast cooking time

• Flexible — add veggies, noodles, or spice

Explore More One-Pan Meals

If you enjoyed this recipe, try:

• Easy One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Easy One-Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken

• Easy No-Fail Lasagna