Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe with Be Local New Zealand Honey

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is a simple, flavour-packed dish made with Be Local New Zealand honey, fresh garlic, and tender chicken. Sweet, savoury, and perfectly balanced, it’s an easy weeknight meal that highlights the natural depth and quality of real New Zealand honey.

By cooking with Be Local honey, this classic honey garlic chicken becomes richer, smoother, and naturally glossy — without the need for refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Why Cook Honey Garlic Chicken with Be Local Honey?

Using Be Local New Zealand honey elevates this dish beyond a standard honey garlic chicken recipe. Our honey is carefully sourced from New Zealand’s diverse floral regions, giving it a naturally complex flavour that caramelises beautifully when cooked.

Depending on your preference, you can use:

• Be Local Multi-Floral Honey for balanced sweetness
  
  

• Be Local Clover Honey for a mild, clean finish
  
  

• Be Local Mānuka Honey (lower MGO) for deeper flavour and richness
  
  

Cooking with high-quality honey creates a sticky honey garlic sauce that coats the chicken evenly and enhances both sweet and savoury notes.

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken

(Serves 4)

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  
  

• 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
  
  

• ½ teaspoon sea salt
  
  

• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  
  

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  
  

• 1 tablespoon butter
  
  

• 4 garlic cloves, minced
  
  

• ⅓ cup Be Local New Zealand Honey
  
  

• ⅓ cup chicken stock
  
  

• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce or tamari
  
  

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  
  

To Serve

• Steamed rice
  
  

• Fresh parsley or spring onions
  
  

• Chilli flakes (optional)
  
  

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken
   Coat the chicken thighs with cornflour, salt, and pepper.
   
   

2. Sear the chicken
   Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden on both sides.
   
   

3. Add garlic and butter
   Reduce heat slightly. Add butter and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
   
   

4. Make the honey garlic sauce
   Mix Be Local honey, chicken stock, soy sauce, and vinegar in a bowl. Pour into the pan.
   
   

5. Simmer and glaze
   Allow the sauce to simmer for 5–7 minutes until thick and sticky, turning the chicken to coat evenly.
   
   

6. Serve
   Spoon the honey garlic sauce over the chicken and serve hot with rice.
   
   

Tips for Cooking with New Zealand Honey

• Add honey after garlic has softened to prevent burning
  
  

• Keep heat moderate so the honey caramelises naturally
  
  

• For extra shine, finish the dish with a light drizzle of Be Local honey
  
  

Serving Suggestions

This honey garlic chicken pairs well with:

• Steamed broccoli or green beans
  
  

• Roasted seasonal vegetables
  
  

• A light cucumber or cabbage slaw
  
  

It’s also ideal for meal prep, as the honey garlic sauce deepens in flavour over time.

From Be Local Honey to Your Kitchen

At Be Local, we believe great food starts with authentic New Zealand ingredients. Our honey is crafted to be enjoyed not only by the spoonful, but also as a natural sweetener in everyday cooking.

This honey garlic chicken recipe is a perfect example of how Be Local New Zealand honey can turn a simple dish into something memorable — comforting, nourishing, and full of flavour.

Source: Kitchen Sanctuary