This grilled honey butter chicken is juicy, tender and perfect with any summer side. Seasoned chicken is brushed with garlic honey butter and grilled until smoky and flavorful — a major favorite here.
Here’s an easy summer dinner you can make in under 30 minutes.
I’m always looking for simple grilled chicken recipes that pair well with everything. This grilled honey butter chicken is exactly that: lightly spiced chicken cooked on the grill and basted with a melted butter and honey mixture. The result is savory, smoky, sticky, slightly sweet and incredibly juicy.
I like serving it with a fresh side like a zucchini and corn orzo salad — the salad can be made ahead and served warm or chilled. The flavors pair beautifully and it’s become a go-to weeknight meal for us. The kids love it too, which is always a win.
This comes together so easily.
Season the chicken with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder. You can use boneless skinless thighs, breasts, or a mix — whichever you prefer. Grill the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, depending on grill heat and the thickness of the pieces. A quick instant‑read thermometer is useful to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
While the chicken grills, melt butter with honey and minced garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it bubble briefly so the flavors meld. When the chicken is almost done, brush it with the honey butter, turn and brush again one or two more times so the glaze becomes sticky and glazed.
Remove the chicken from the grill and brush with a final coat of honey butter. Garnish with chopped chives if you like and serve with summer sides. Leftovers reheat well and work great in salads, sandwiches or bowls.
Grilled Honey Butter Chicken
Grilled Honey Butter Chicken
4
people
15 mins
15 mins
30 mins
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Chopped chives for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the grill to high.
- Season the chicken on all sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder. Place the chicken on the hot grates and grill 5 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- While the chicken cooks, combine butter, honey and minced garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture bubbles, then remove from heat.
- When the chicken is nearly done, brush it with the honey butter, turn and brush again. Repeat one or two more times so the chicken becomes glossy and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the grill, brush with additional honey butter, sprinkle with chopped chives if desired, and serve with your favorite summer sides.
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That sticky, caramelized honey butter glaze is everything — simple, fast and full of flavor.