30-Minute Honey Ginger Indonesian Chicken Recipe
This 30-Minute Honey Ginger Indonesian Chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts coated in a fragrant blend of honey, soy sauce, hoisin, ginger, and garlic. The chicken is pan-seared for a golden crust before simmering in a sweet and savory sauce that caramelizes slightly, delivering authentic Indonesian-inspired flavors. Served with jasmine rice and fresh sliced cucumbers and mini bell peppers, it’s a quick, delicious, and family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 19 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
- 6 medium cloves garlic, finely minced
For the Rub:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 medium-size breasts)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For Serving:
- Sliced baby cucumbers, if desired
- Sliced mini bell peppers, if desired
- Cooked jasmine rice
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, combine honey, low-sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, hoisin sauce, finely grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic. Stir well to combine. The mixture may appear slightly lumpy at this stage, which is normal. Set aside.
- Make the Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic salt, ground coriander, and smoked paprika until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Season the Chicken: Lay the boneless skinless chicken breasts flat on a large plate or cutting board. Sprinkle the rub evenly over both sides of each chicken breast, pressing lightly to adhere the spices.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter, swirling the pan to coat evenly. Once the butter mixture is hot and bubbly, place the chicken breasts smooth side down in the pan. The chicken should sizzle upon contact. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the underside develops a nice golden-brown color. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 1 minute. Note that the chicken will not be fully cooked at this point.
- Simmer in Sauce: Remove the chicken breasts from the pan and place them on a clean plate. Pour the prepared sauce into the now-empty pan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow the sauce to cook uncovered for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly. Return the chicken to the pan, cover it with a lid, and turn off the heat. Let the chicken sit in the covered pan for 10 minutes to finish cooking through and absorb the flavors. If using larger chicken breasts, either slice them in half horizontally before cooking or let them simmer in the boiling sauce for 1 minute before covering and turning off the heat.
- Serve: Uncover the pan and transfer the chicken to serving plates. Serve alongside steamed jasmine rice, sliced baby cucumbers, and mini bell peppers. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired for an extra touch of texture and flavor.
Notes
- For more detailed tips on cooking techniques and flavor adjustments, refer to Café Tips in the original post.
- Ensure chicken breasts are uniform in size for even cooking; slice thicker breasts horizontally if needed.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Adjust sweetness by modifying honey or brown sugar quantities according to taste preference.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a minute or two longer before adding the chicken back.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice to absorb the flavorful sauce perfectly.
Keywords: honey ginger chicken, Indonesian chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, stovetop chicken recipe, sweet soy chicken, hoisin chicken, easy weeknight meal