Sizzling Sweet Honey Chicken Recipe: A Sticky-Yummy Success!

Crispy golden bites of honey chicken sparkle with sweet and savory magic that instantly captivates your taste buds.

Tender pieces of chicken glisten under a glossy amber glaze that promises incredible flavor.

Each morsel carries a delicate balance between sticky sweetness and gentle spice.

Home cooks can easily master this crowd-pleasing dish with simple ingredients from their kitchen pantry.

Restaurant-quality results emerge without complicated techniques or expensive equipment.

Marinating the meat ensures maximum juiciness and depth of flavor that will make everyone at the table smile.

You’ll become the culinary hero of your next meal with this irresistible recipe that delivers maximum deliciousness in minimal time.

Honey Chicken Tips for Sticky Perfection

• Flour Power: Use a mix of flour and cornstarch for extra crispy chicken coating that stays crunchy even after adding sauce.
• Oil Temperature Trick: Maintain oil at 350-375°F for perfectly golden, non-greasy chicken pieces without burning.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust honey and soy sauce ratio to control sweetness and saltiness according to personal preference.
• Slurry Secret: Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to sauce to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, glossy consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chicken and sauce separately, then combine just before serving to keep coating crisp and fresh.

Store and Warm Honey Chicken Without Losing Sauce

• Store leftover honey chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the sauce and chicken separately to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, spread chicken on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• If in a hurry, reheat in microwave in 30-second intervals, adding a splash of water to prevent dryness.

What Sides Work Well with Honey Chicken

• Crisp white wine balances the honey's sweetness, cutting through the chicken's richness with bright, fruity notes that complement the dish perfectly.
• Soft, fragrant rice absorbs the honey sauce beautifully, creating a delightful base that enhances the chicken's golden, crispy texture.
• Fresh, cool cucumber salad with light rice vinegar dressing provides a crunchy, tangy contrast to the sweet and savory chicken, adding refreshing brightness to each bite.
• Quick-sautéed bok choy or broccoli with garlic adds a green, nutritious side that balances the chicken's rich honey glaze and provides a healthy vegetable component.

Sweet or Spicy? Honey Chicken Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Crispy Honey Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free rice flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy texture.
• Low-Carb Baked Honey Chicken: Skip flour coating and bake chicken pieces in oven, using crushed pork rinds or almond meal for light crunch, reducing total carbohydrates.
• Spicy Honey Chicken Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to honey sauce for a kick, creating a tangy and heat-packed alternative that elevates traditional recipe.
• Air Fryer Honey Chicken: Cook chicken in air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, achieving crispy exterior without deep-frying, reducing oil consumption and creating healthier option.

Why Honey Chicken is Always a Hit

• Achieve golden-brown, crunchy chicken with a simple flour and cornstarch coating that guarantees a satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Customize the dish by adjusting honey sauce sweetness or spice level, making it a hit for both kids and adults with different taste preferences.
• Create a takeout-style meal that rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant, saving money and enjoying a fresher, homemade version right in your kitchen.

What Goes into Sweet and Sticky Honey Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that forms the base of the dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken pieces for even cooking.

• Flour, Cornstarch: Create a crispy, light exterior that helps the sauce stick to the chicken, providing a satisfying crunch.
• Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Add depth of flavor and season the chicken coating for a tasty foundation.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent to help the dry ingredients adhere to the chicken.

• Honey: Provides a sweet, golden glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds a rich, umami depth and saltiness to balance the honey's sweetness.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings a subtle tangy note that brightens the overall flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes a nutty, aromatic flavor characteristic of Asian cuisine.
• Garlic: Offers a pungent, aromatic base that enhances the sauce's complexity.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to create a glossy, clingy coating for the chicken.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Add visual appeal and fresh, nutty, and slightly sharp flavor accents.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep-frying to achieve a golden, crispy chicken exterior.

• Steamed Rice or Noodles: Provides a neutral base to complement the flavorful honey chicken.

How to Cook Golden Honey Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Combine flour
• Add cornstarch
• Sprinkle garlic powder
• Include salt
• Grind black pepper

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly in a wide bowl. Whisk eggs in a separate dish. Dunk each chicken piece into beaten eggs, then roll generously in seasoned flour mixture. Shake off excess coating.

Step 2: Fry Chicken Pieces

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet until shimmering. Carefully place coated chicken into hot oil. Fry each piece until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Chicken should have a beautiful amber color and feel firm. Transfer fried pieces onto paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Craft Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic

Simmer ingredients over medium heat. Whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry. Pour slurry into sauce, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 4: Combine and Coat

Place crispy chicken in a large mixing bowl. Pour warm honey glaze over chicken. Gently toss until each piece is evenly and luxuriously coated.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. Chop fresh green onions and scatter across chicken. Serve immediately over steamed white rice or soft noodles.

Honey Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savor the irresistible honey chicken, a delectable journey through sweet and savory flavors that dance on your palate. Crispy, golden-brown chicken glazed with a luscious honey sauce promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Base:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (64 grams) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (64 grams) cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 0.33 cup (113 grams) honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a dredging station by blending flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Dunk each chicken segment into whisked eggs, then thoroughly envelop with the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring excess coating falls away.
3. Create a sizzling environment in a deep skillet or wok by heating vegetable oil to medium-high temperature, approximately one inch deep.
4. Carefully introduce chicken pieces into the hot oil, allowing them to transform into a golden-crisp exterior through strategic frying, roughly 3-4 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked.
5. Extract chicken and allow excess oil to drain on absorbent paper towels, maintaining crisp texture.
6. Construct a glossy sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a saucepan, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7. Integrate cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking continuously until the liquid develops a luxurious, clingy consistency.
8. Transfer crispy chicken to a generous mixing bowl and cascade the warm honey sauce over the pieces, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
9. Present the glistening chicken adorned with sprinkled sesame seeds and delicate green onion slivers, nestled atop steamed rice or tender noodles.

Notes

• Perfectly coat chicken by patting it dry before dredging to ensure crispy, even breading that sticks well.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350°F for golden, crunchy exterior without greasy residue when frying chicken pieces.
• Adjust honey sauce sweetness by balancing honey with soy sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that complement the crispy chicken.
• Customize recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free flour blend, keeping the texture light and crisp.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg