This Crispy Honey and Garlic Chicken recipe delivers golden, crunchy chicken bites tossed in a glossy, garlicky honey sauce. The chicken is first coated in a light flour-cornstarch blend, fried until perfectly crisp, and then glazed with a sticky sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this dish is as visually stunning as it is flavorful. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Coating
- In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to coat evenly.
2. Fry the Chicken
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot (about 350°F or 175°C), carefully add the coated chicken pieces in batches.
- Fry for 4–5 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the water and cornstarch until smooth, then stir it into the sauce.
- Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
4. Toss and Coat
- Place the fried chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the hot honey garlic sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
5. Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
- Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, or noodles.
Serving Suggestions:
- With rice: Jasmine or basmati rice soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- With noodles: Toss with lo mein or rice noodles for a hearty bowl.
- As an appetizer: Serve in small bowls with toothpicks for parties.
Tips & Variations:
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Use chicken thighs: For extra juiciness and flavor.
- Air-fry option: Lightly spray coated chicken with oil and air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Double the sauce: If you love extra glaze, double the sauce ingredients and drizzle over rice or veggies.
This honey and garlic chicken is a quick, flavor-packed dish that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite. Would you like a baked version or a vegetarian twist using tofu or cauliflower next?