Honey enhances both savory and sweet dishes, adding natural sweetness, moisture, and depth of flavor.
The recipes below showcase honey’s versatility with these two quick weeknight mains.
Two temping favorites featuring pure sweet honey
Honey-Glazed Chicken Stir-Fry
A quick stir-fry with crispy chicken coated in a sticky-sweet honey-soy sauce.
Ingredients (serves 4):
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup coconut oil (or melted butter)
- 1 cup honey (or substitute with 3/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup liquid such as milk or water)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 °F (reduce to 300 °F if using honey, as honey browns faster).
- Grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, honey, coconut oil (or butter), milk, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients; mix until just smooth.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for ~30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. If using honey, reduce the milk by 1/4 cup to account for honey’s liquid.
Sugar to Honey Conversion Note: If you want to use sugar instead of honey, use about 3/4 cup sugar and increase the added liquid (milk) by 1/4 cup.
Honey Lemon Chicken
A bright, 15-minute skillet meal combining honey, garlic, lemon, and butter.
Ingredients (serves 4):
- 1 lb chicken breast, bite-sized
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt, pepper, and optional oregano
Instructions:
- Season and dust chicken with cornstarch; pan-fry in oil/butter until crisp.
- Remove chicken; sauté garlic briefly.
- Add honey, lemon juice, and oregano; return chicken to pan and coat.
Honey’s Role Across Recipes:
- In savory dishes, honey balances umami and acidity, glazing proteins with a glossy finish.
- In dressings, it acts as a natural emulsifier and sweetener, harmonizing vinegar or citrus.
- In baked goods, honey retains moisture and imparts complex floral notes absent in white sugar.
Whether elevating a weekday dinner or gracing an afternoon tea, these recipes celebrate honey’s multifaceted charm. Enjoy experimenting with different varietals—from clover to wildflower—to discover the nuances each brings to your kitchen creations!
⁂
