Description
Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy, featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a light, crispy layer and tossed in a glossy honey garlic sauce. This quick and simple dish delivers bold flavors with minimal ingredients, making it ideal for busy weeknights, lunchboxes, or impressing guests with a delicious homemade meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch (or rice flour for gluten-free option)
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1-2 cups)
Garnishes (optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry thoroughly. Toss evenly in cornstarch, shaking off any excess to ensure a light, crispy coating.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Pour in the prepared honey garlic sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and slightly thickened. Add fried chicken back to the pan and toss quickly to coat each piece with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer chicken to a serving plate and sprinkle with chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the full crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Always pat chicken dry before coating to help the cornstarch stick and get crispy.
- Maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for the best crisp without excess oil absorption.
- Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and keep the oil temperature consistent.
- Simmer the sauce gently for a glossy, thick texture that clings well to the chicken.
- Serve immediately; the chicken tastes best fresh to retain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, crispy chicken, Chinese chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken, quick dinner, sweet and savory chicken