Irresistible Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe for Dinner Joy

Succulent chicken pieces dance with a golden honey garlic sauce that promises an explosion of flavor.

This irresistible honey garlic chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes.

Crispy exterior gives way to tender, juicy meat that melts in your mouth.

Each bite brings a harmonious blend of caramelized honey and aromatic garlic that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

The recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen.

You’ll be amazed how easily these flavors come together, turning dinner into a memorable culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 362 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken: Select fresh, plump chicken pieces with no discoloration for the most tender and juicy results.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the chicken's natural flavor with a balanced seasoning mix that creates a delectable crust.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides a neutral cooking medium that helps achieve a perfect golden-brown sear.

• Minced Garlic: Adds a robust, pungent flavor that infuses the entire dish with a rich, savory essence.

• Honey, Water, Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce: Craft a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and umami notes that create a glossy, irresistible coating for the chicken.

• Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright pop of color and a subtle herbal finish to the dish.

Tools for Making Honey Garlic Chicken

• Large Skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the honey garlic sauce.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together sauce ingredients quickly.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending honey, water, vinegar, and soy sauce smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for mincing garlic and chopping parsley.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise garlic and parsley preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for accurate seasoning and sauce measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and flipping chicken during cooking.

Cooking Instructions for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Spice Up the Chicken

Grab your chicken and shower it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for a flavor explosion.

• Sizzle and Brown

Fire up a skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the seasoned chicken and cook until it turns a gorgeous golden brown. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked – no pink allowed!

• Garlic Magic

Sprinkle minced garlic into the pan and let it dance around for about 30 seconds, releasing its mouthwatering aroma.

• Whip Up the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix honey, water, rice vinegar, and soy sauce until they become best friends. Pour this liquid gold over the chicken.

• Thicken and Simmer

Crank up the heat and let the sauce bubble and reduce, creating a sticky, glossy coating that’ll make your taste buds sing.

• Plate and Enjoy

If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top. Serve alongside fluffy rice or crisp steamed vegetables for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips and Substitutes for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Quick Cook's Hack: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in maximum flavor.
• Low-Carb Twist: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly version that keeps all the delicious honey garlic goodness.
• Meal Prep Magic: This chicken stores beautifully in airtight containers for up to 4 days, making it an excellent option for make-ahead lunches and quick weeknight dinners.
• Spice Level Up: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for those who love a gentle kick of heat without overwhelming the sweet garlic profile.
• Protein Swap: Easily transform this recipe by using boneless chicken thighs for more richness or substituting with lean turkey or pork medallions for variety.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken

• Dinner Party Delight: Impress guests by serving this honey garlic chicken on a large platter with fresh herbs sprinkled on top, creating a restaurant-style presentation that will wow everyone at the table.
• Meal Pairing Perfection: Complement the sweet and savory chicken with fluffy jasmine rice, roasted broccoli, or a crisp Asian-inspired slaw for a balanced and delicious meal that satisfies multiple taste preferences.
• Leftover Magic: Transform extra chicken into a delightful lunch by chopping it up and tossing into a fresh salad, wrapping in a tortilla, or mixing with cold noodles for a quick and tasty next-day meal option.
• Flavor Boost: Enhance the dish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions on top, adding extra texture and a pop of color that makes the meal look as good as it tastes.

Storing Leftovers of Honey Garlic Chicken

• Smart Meal Prep Strategies: Cook double the chicken batch and refrigerate extra portions for quick weekday lunches or dinners.
• Refrigeration Tips: Store leftover honey garlic chicken in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and meat separate to maintain crispiness.
• Freezing Techniques: Carefully pack cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2 months and thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Recommendations: Warm chicken in skillet over medium-low heat with extra splash of sauce to restore moisture, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent honey garlic chicken delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors from traditional Asian cuisine. Home cooks can easily prepare this crowd-pleasing dish with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless
• 2 tsps garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) honey
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Searing Technique: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully placing seasoned chicken to develop a rich, golden-brown crust while maintaining internal moisture and ensuring complete cooking.
3. Garlic Intensification: Remove excess grease, leaving a thin layer, then introduce minced garlic to the skillet, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the chicken through rapid sautéing.
4. Sauce Composition: Whisk together honey, water, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a separate bowl, creating a complex, multi-dimensional flavor profile that will transform the chicken’s appearance and taste.
5. Glazing Process: Pour the prepared sauce over seared chicken, elevating heat to medium-high and allowing the liquid to reduce into a glossy, concentrated glaze that completely envelops the meat.
6. Final Presentation: Transfer the honey garlic chicken to a serving plate, optionally garnishing with chopped parsley for a fresh visual and aromatic accent, and serve alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables.

Notes

• Seal in Flavor: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
• Prevent Burning: Adjust heat if garlic starts to brown too quickly, as burnt garlic creates bitter taste and ruins the dish’s delicate flavor profile.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Watch sauce reduction carefully – aim for glossy, slightly thick coating that clings to chicken without becoming too sticky or dry.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the recipe’s rich umami essence.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 374
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 298 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg