Irresistible Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe For Dinner Joy

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this honey garlic chicken recipe delivers pure magic.

Golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce dance with incredible flavor on your plate.

The sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweet and savory, creating an irresistible meal everyone will love.

Each tender chicken bite carries deep, complex seasonings that complement the rich honey glaze.

Crispy edges provide a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the succulent meat.

Fresh garlic and quality honey elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll want to serve this crowd-pleasing recipe again and again, making it a guaranteed dinner champion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Behind Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs delicious flavors beautifully, select fresh boneless and skinless cuts for even cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that awaken the chicken's natural taste.
• Paprika: Adds warm, slightly smoky depth and gorgeous golden color.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic essence for robust background notes.
• Cornstarch: Creates irresistible crispy exterior and helps sauce cling perfectly to chicken.

• Honey: Natural sweetener providing caramelized glaze with complex richness.
• Fresh Garlic: Aromatic ingredient delivering intense, punchy flavor profile.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth and salty undertones to balance sweetness.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps tenderize meat.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty, authentic Asian-inspired essence.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat component for subtle spicy kick.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve beautiful golden sear on chicken surface.
• Sesame Seeds: Crunchy garnish adding textural contrast and nutty accent.
• Green Onions: Fresh, sharp topping providing visual appeal and mild onion flavor.

Tools That Work for Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

• Large skillet: essential for searing chicken to golden perfection.
• Baking dish: used for roasting chicken in the oven, preferably with parchment paper or greased.
• Small saucepan: perfect for whisking and simmering the honey garlic sauce.
• Small bowl: needed for mixing cornstarch slurry.
• Whisk: crucial for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Paper towels: helps pat chicken dry before seasoning.
• Measuring spoons and cups: for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: for chopping green onions and preparing garnishes.
• Sharp knife: for precise cutting of green onions.
• Tongs: useful for handling and turning chicken while searing.

How to Prepare Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

• Prep the Chicken

Clean and pat chicken pieces until completely dry. Season generously with spices for maximum flavor boost.

• Create Golden Exterior

Dust chicken with light cornstarch coating. Sizzle in hot skillet until each side develops beautiful golden-brown edges.

• Craft Magical Sauce

Blend honey, minced garlic, tangy sauces, and spicy pepper flakes in saucepan. Thicken by stirring in cornstarch mixture until sauce becomes silky and rich.

• Bake to Perfection

Transfer seared chicken to baking dish. Lavishly coat with glossy sauce. Slide into preheated oven and bake until chicken reaches perfect internal temperature.

• Final Flourish

Pull chicken from oven. Drench with extra sauce. Sprinkle with nutty sesame seeds and bright green onion ribbons.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate alongside fluffy rice or roasted vegetables. Watch everyone dive into this mouth-watering meal with pure excitement.

Flavor Tips for Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

• Flavor Boost: Marinate chicken in the honey garlic sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify the taste and tenderize the meat.
• Crispy Coating Trick: For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken in cornstarch or use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular cornstarch.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to make the dish mild or fiery hot – perfect for different heat preferences in the family.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace cornstarch with almond flour or omit entirely for a keto-friendly version, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce and season chicken up to 24 hours in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator for quick weeknight meal prep.

Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Serving Ideas

• Flavor Burst Companions: Pair this honey garlic chicken with steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
• Quick Veggie Sidekick: Roast a colorful medley of bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini alongside the chicken to add nutrition and vibrant colors to your plate.
• Texture Contrast Delight: Sprinkle crispy toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for a crunchy texture that complements the tender chicken and glossy sauce.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve the chicken in a large shared platter with extra sauce on the side, letting everyone customize their portions and enjoy a communal dining experience.

Keep Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Fresh

• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container, keeping sauce separate to maintain crispy texture. Consume within 34 days for optimal taste and quality.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Carefully package cooled chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze up to 2 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Without Drying: Warm chicken gently in microwave with a splash of additional sauce or chicken broth. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between cycles.
• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare extra chicken during cooking process. Portion into individual containers with sauce on side. Ideal for work lunches or quick weeknight dinners, providing convenient protein-packed meals throughout the week.

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Honey garlic chicken delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors from Chinese cuisine. Home cooks can easily prepare this delightful dish with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) or 6 chicken thighs
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tbsps green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper or a thin oil layer.
2. Chicken Seasoning: Pat chicken pieces dry, then generously season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
3. Cornstarch Coating: Delicately dust chicken with cornstarch, gently shaking off excess powder to create a light protective layer.
4. Searing Process: In a scorching skillet with olive oil, quickly sear chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior.
5. Sauce Creation: Blend honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking to combine.
6. Sauce Refinement: Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the sauce, simmering until the mixture transforms into a luxuriously thickened consistency.
7. Baking Assembly: Arrange seared chicken in the prepared baking dish, lavishly coating each piece with the aromatic honey garlic sauce.
8. Roasting Stage: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, confirming doneness when chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F (75C).
9. Final Touches: Drizzle additional sauce over the golden chicken, garnishing with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions.
10. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately alongside steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Dryness: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before seasoning to ensure crisp, golden exterior and prevent soggy texture.
• Control Cornstarch Application: Dust chicken lightly and evenly with cornstarch, shaking off excess to prevent clumpy coating that can turn gummy during cooking.
• Monitor Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve perfect glossy thickness without becoming too runny or thick.
• Master Temperature Precision: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165F internal temperature, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy meat texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg