Description
This Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a light, crispy crust and tossed in a flavorful honey garlic sauce. Perfectly balanced with a sweet and savory glaze, this dish is easy to prepare in just 30 minutes and makes a delicious meal served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Coating
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Dip each piece of chicken first into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the dry cornstarch and flour mixture. Set coated chicken pieces aside on a plate.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about half an inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to turn them carefully. Remove the chicken from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Stir the mixture and allow it to simmer gently to blend the flavors, about 2-3 minutes. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes. Remove the sauce from heat once thickened.
- Combine and Coat: Transfer the crispy fried chicken into a large mixing bowl or back into the skillet (off heat). Pour the warm honey garlic sauce over the chicken and toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly in the glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the coated chicken. Serve the crispy honey garlic chicken immediately, ideally over steamed rice or your favorite noodles for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, make sure the oil is hot before frying the chicken and avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Chicken thighs provide more juiciness, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Adjust honey quantity for sweeter or less sweet sauce according to your preference.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the dish.
- You can substitute rice vinegar with white vinegar if needed, but the flavor may be slightly different.
- Leftover crispy chicken can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
