Best Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes at Home

Hey foodies! I’m so excited to share one of my absolute favorite quick dinners, the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes.
This recipe feels like a warm hug after a long day — juicy chicken, chewy rice cakes, and the dreamiest glossy sauce that’s sweet, garlicky, and buttery all at once.

It’s a dish that literally comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent hours cooking.
Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking for a new weeknight staple, you’re going to fall in love with this one.

Why This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes Will Steal Your Heart!

This dish is everything you want in a quick, flavorful meal – fast, easy, and made with just one pan.

The sweet and savory combo of honey, garlic, and butter is totally irresistible, with just a hint of spice if you’re feeling bold. Plus, the rice cakes add a fun, chewy texture that takes the dish to the next level, making it hearty and satisfying.

Whether you’re looking to impress your family, a date, or just treat yourself, this recipe is sure to do the trick. Best of all? You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated techniques just simple, delicious cooking that anyone can master!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 chicken breasts (about 250g) – Lean, tender, and packed with protein

2 pinches of salt & a dash of pepper – Basic seasoning magic

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or tempura flour) – Light crispy coating

130g Korean rice cakes (tteok) – Perfect chewy bite

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter (20g) – Richness and silkiness

1 tablespoon minced garlic (18g) – Flavor booster

1 tablespoon soy sauce (17g) – Deep umami flavor

2 tablespoons vinegar (14g) – Sweetness balancer

3.5 tablespoons honey (56g) – Sticky, sweet goodness

Optional Toppings:

Crushed red pepper flakes

Toasted sesame seeds

How To Make It?

1. Prepare the Chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Slice into bite-sized pieces. Toss the chicken into a plastic bag with flour. Shake it up until evenly coated.

2. Cook the Chicken and Rice Cakes

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Add chicken pieces and rice cakes.

Cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally for even browning.

3. Make the Sauce

Clear a space in the middle of the pan.

Melt the butter, then add minced garlic.

Sauté until fragrant.

Pour in soy sauce, vinegar, and honey.

Mix everything together until chicken and rice cakes are fully coated.

4. Finish and Serve

Optional: Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and toasted sesame seeds.
Serve hot and enjoy the sticky-sweet perfection!

Cooking Tips & Techniques for Perfect Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes

Flour helps lock in the chicken’s juices and adds a crispy texture to the coating.

Soak hard rice cakes in warm water for 10 minutes before cooking to make them softer and more chewy.

Chicken thighs or wings can add even more flavor and richness to the dish.

Vinegar is essential to balance the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the butter without making it too sour.

Add sriracha if you want to turn up the heat and add an extra kick to the sauce!

Must-Have Tools for Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes Magic!

Here’s what you’ll need to make cooking this dish a breeze:

Frying Pan or Skillet – A non-stick frying pan or skillet is essential for getting that perfect golden sear on the chicken and ensuring it cooks evenly. It’s also great for simmering the honey garlic butter sauce all in one place. Find one that works for you on Amazon!

Plastic Bag for Coating – Using a plastic bag to coat the chicken in flour helps evenly distribute the flour without making a mess. This step locks in moisture and gives the chicken that crispy texture on the outside. You can easily grab one here.

Spatula or Tongs – A spatula or tongs makes flipping and removing the chicken from the pan easy, without risking burns or breaking the chicken apart. This tool helps you handle the chicken gently while maintaining its shape and texture. You can get some right here!

Measuring Spoons and Cups – Accurate measurements make sure your sauce tastes just right! These tools will help you get the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Whether you’re measuring out honey, garlic, or vinegar, these tools make it simple. See your options here.

Kitchen Scale (optional) – If you want precision, a kitchen scale helps with measuring chicken and other ingredients to ensure consistency every time you make the dish. While optional, it’s great for anyone who likes to have exact measurements. Check out a good one here!

Each of these tools will make the cooking process smoother, quicker, and more enjoyable. They’ll also help you achieve the perfect honey garlic butter chicken every time!

How to Plate Your Perfect Honey Garlic Butter Chicken!

Serve this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes hot and fresh for the best flavor! Here are some simple, delicious sides and toppings to pair it with:

Steamed Veggies – Light and healthy, steamed veggies like broccoli, carrots, or green beans are the perfect complement to the rich, flavorful chicken.

A Simple Cucumber Salad – A fresh cucumber salad with a little bit of vinegar, sesame oil, and cilantro adds a refreshing contrast to the sweet and savory chicken.

A Drizzle of Extra Honey – For an added touch of sweetness, drizzle a bit of honey over the chicken before serving. It enhances the flavor and gives it an extra sticky sweetness.

Extra Toasted Sesame Seeds for Crunch – Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top to add a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

These sides and garnishes will elevate the dish and make for a well-rounded meal!

Healthy Twists on Your Perfect Honey Garlic Butter Chicken!

Low-Carb: Swap the rice cakes for cauliflower to keep the dish light and low in carbs while still maintaining that hearty texture.

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour for coating the chicken and tamari instead of soy sauce to keep everything gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.

Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter to make this dish dairy-free while still keeping it rich and flavorful.

High-Protein: Want to add more protein? Simply double the chicken or add cubes of tofu for a satisfying, protein-packed meal.

Top Tips for Storing Your Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice Cakes!

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in a pan over medium-low heat.
• Add a splash of water when reheating rice cakes to keep them soft.

Delicious Variations of Honey Garlic Butter Chicken!

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add chili oil or hot sauce to the sauce for a spicy kick that perfectly complements the sweetness of the honey garlic glaze.

Honey Garlic Shrimp: Swap out the chicken for shrimp. Since shrimp cooks faster, it’s a great quick alternative for this dish.

Sticky Honey Garlic Tofu: For a vegetarian twist, use crispy tofu instead of chicken. The tofu will absorb all that delicious honey garlic flavor!

Sweet Potato Swap: For a twist on texture, microwave sweet potato chunks for about 4 minutes and use them in place of rice cakes for a hearty, sweet alternative.

Crunchy Garnish: Top with green onions, crushed peanuts, or crispy onions for an extra crunch and burst of flavor.

Honey Garlic Butter Chicken is your new best friend for easy, flavor-packed dinners. 🍗✨
It’s quick, delicious, comforting, and so versatile. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a crowd, this sticky-sweet dish is going to be a major hit!

5 Common Questions Answered