🍗 Honey Garlic Chicken with Cheese — 30 Minutes

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6 chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the honey-garlic sauce:

• 4 tbsp honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp chili flakes — optional
• 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water — optional, for a thicker sauce

For the cheese topping:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup shredded cheddar
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Step-by-step

1. Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 200°C / 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with a little olive oil.

2. Prepare the chicken
If the chicken breasts are very thick, carefully slice them horizontally or pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook quickly and evenly.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

3. Season the chicken
Mix the salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Rub the seasoning all over both sides of the chicken.

4. Make the honey-garlic sauce
In a small bowl, combine:

• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Soy sauce
• Melted butter
• Lemon juice
• Chili flakes, if using

Mix well.

5. Sear the chicken — optional but highly recommended
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook the chicken for about 2–3 minutes per side, just until nicely browned.

You don’t need to cook it completely at this stage—the oven will finish it.

6. Add the honey-garlic sauce
Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated.

If using cornstarch, mix it with 2 tbsp cold water first and stir it into the sauce.

7. Bake
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken.

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F at the thickest part.

8. Add the cheese
Remove the chicken from the oven.

Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the chicken.

Return it to the oven for another 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted.

For a beautifully golden, bubbly top, switch to the broiler/grill for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch it closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.

9. Rest and garnish
Take the chicken out and let it rest for 3–5 minutes.

Spoon some of the delicious honey-garlic sauce from the pan over the chicken and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

🍽️ What to serve with it

This chicken goes especially well with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Steamed or roasted vegetables
• Garlic rice
• Buttered noodles
• Roasted potatoes
• Fresh green salad
• Garlic bread

🔥 Tips for the best result

• Don’t overcook the chicken. Use a meat thermometer if possible; 74°C/165°F is the safe target.
• Pound thick breasts evenly so the thinner parts don’t dry out while the center cooks.
• Don’t skip the garlic. Fresh minced garlic gives the sauce much more flavor than garlic powder.
• Use mozzarella + cheddar for both stretchiness and a richer cheesy flavor.
• If your sauce gets too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water before serving.
• For a spicy version, add extra chili flakes or a little hot sauce.
• Chicken thighs are particularly forgiving and stay very juicy.

The final result: tender, juicy chicken covered in a sweet-and-savory honey garlic glaze, topped with bubbling mozzarella and cheddar. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner in about 30 minutes