Brown Butter Honey Garlic Chicken with Crispy Polenta Bites
Tender, pan-seared chicken thighs with crispy edges.
A rich brown butter and honey garlic glaze that clings to every bite.
And on the side? Crispy baked polenta bites with golden cheese edges and soft, creamy centers.
It looks fancy, but it’s shockingly simple to pull off, uses mostly pantry staples, and is a perfect mix of comfort and sophistication. Serve it up for a cozy weeknight dinner, a date night at home, or even as a small-plate centerpiece for a casual dinner party.
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan (cast iron preferred)
- Rimmed baking sheet or oven-safe pan
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Medium bowl for coating polenta
- Mixing bowls & whisk
- Small saucepan (for sauce)
- Tongs or spatula
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or 2 large chicken breasts, halved)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter for browning
For the Brown Butter Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the Crispy Polenta Bites:
- 1 18 oz tube of pre-cooked polenta, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Bake the Polenta Bites
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Slice polenta into ½-inch thick rounds and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, toss the rounds with olive oil, Parmesan, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange in a single layer and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp on the edges.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
- Pat chicken dry and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Brown Butter Honey Garlic Sauce
- In the same pan, add 4 tbsp butter and cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to pan, spoon sauce over top, and cook together for 2 more minutes, basting constantly.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
- Arrange crispy polenta bites on a platter or individual plates.
- Top with brown butter honey garlic chicken.
- Spoon extra sauce over everything.
- Garnish with fresh thyme, parsley, or a sprinkle of chili flakes, if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 530kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 35gFat: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 14g
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