Description
Whip up Honey Garlic Chicken faster than you can order takeout, creating restaurant-quality flavors right in your kitchen with minimal effort. Crispy chicken coated in a sweet and tangy sauce delivers maximum satisfaction without complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauces and Seasonings:
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
Instructions
- Toss 1 ½ pounds chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, ensuring each morsel gets an even, light coating for maximum crispiness.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet at medium temperature (375°F). Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
- Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes, flipping periodically until pieces turn golden brown and reach 165°F internal temperature. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
- Drop 4 minced garlic cloves into the same skillet, sautéing for 45-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Whisk ⅓ cup honey, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and ½ teaspoon chili flakes in a small bowl.
- Pour sauce mixture into skillet, letting it simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Return chicken to skillet, gently tossing to coat each piece thoroughly with the sticky sauce.
- Allow chicken to reheat and absorb sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the dish for a fresh, crunchy finish.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles while sauce remains warm and glossy.
Notes
- Cornstarch is the secret to achieving that super crispy exterior on your chicken, so don’t skip this crucial coating step.
- When frying, make sure your skillet isn’t overcrowded to ensure each piece gets golden and crisp without steaming.
- If spice isn’t your thing, skip the chili flakes or adjust to your heat tolerance for a more mild version.
- For a gluten-free option, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg