Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Weaving magic with crispy honey garlic chicken creates an irresistible dinner sensation that sparks immediate kitchen excitement.

Culinary adventures often begin with unexpected flavor combinations that surprise and delight.

Golden-brown chicken pieces glazed in a sweet and savory sauce promise an unforgettable meal.

Fragrant garlic and rich honey form a mouthwatering partnership that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Bold home cooks understand that perfect balance means blending contrasting tastes with confidence.

Restaurant-quality dishes are completely achievable in your own kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Each crispy bite promises a delectable journey your taste buds will celebrate.

Prepare to experience a recipe that turns an ordinary evening into a memorable feast.

Why Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Is a Standout

• Transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Combines crispy, golden exterior with sweet-savory honey garlic sauce that guarantees a crowd-pleasing meal for all ages.
• Ready in under an hour, this recipe breaks down into simple steps perfect for busy home cooks looking for delicious weeknight dinners.
• Pairs beautifully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Must-Have Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken: Tender and juicy protein base for the crispy coating and sauce.

• Flour, Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy exterior with perfect texture.
• Eggs: Helps breading stick to chicken and adds richness.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides extra crunch and golden brown exterior.

• Honey: Adds sweetness and helps create glossy sauce coating.
• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami and saltiness to balance honey.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance flavors.
• Garlic: Delivers sharp, aromatic flavor to sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing chicken's natural taste.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Thickens sauce and creates glossy texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Creates ideal frying environment for crispy chicken.
• Green Onions: Optional fresh garnish with mild onion flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional crunchy, nutty topping for visual appeal.

How to Make Crispy Chicken with Honey Garlic Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Flour mixture
• Eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs

Combine flour and cornstarch in one bowl. Crack eggs into another bowl and whisk. Place panko in the third bowl. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Dunk each chicken piece first into flour mixture, then egg wash, and finally coat completely with panko breadcrumbs. Rest coated chicken on clean plate.

Step 2: Create Crispy Golden Exterior

Heat vegetable oil in large skillet until temperature reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully place chicken pieces into hot oil. Fry each batch until exterior turns golden brown and interior reaches safe cooking temperature. Rotate chicken occasionally for even cooking. Transfer finished pieces onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.

Step 3: Craft Tangy Honey Garlic Glaze

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Minced garlic

Simmer ingredients over medium heat. Whisk cornstarch with water to create smooth slurry. Pour slurry into sauce and continue stirring until mixture thickens slightly.

Step 4: Transform Chicken with Glorious Coating

Pour warm honey garlic sauce over crispy chicken pieces. Gently toss until every piece glistens with delicious sauce.

Step 5: Present Mouthwatering Masterpiece

Transfer coated chicken to serving platter. Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or fresh vegetables.

Key Tips for Crunchy Chicken Every Time

• Perfectly Coat Chicken: Pat chicken dry before dredging to ensure crispy, even breading that sticks beautifully during frying.
• Control Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to maintain 350F, preventing soggy or burnt chicken and ensuring golden, crispy exterior.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Adjust cornstarch slurry amount to achieve desired sauce thickness- thicker sauce clings better to chicken pieces.
• Prevent Overcrowding: Fry chicken in small batches, allowing each piece space to crisp evenly without dropping oil temperature.
• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Let chicken rest in honey garlic sauce for a few minutes before serving to enhance coating and taste intensity.

Reheating and Storing Crispy Chicken Properly

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread chicken on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to maintain crispiness.
• Do not refreeze previously thawed chicken to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety.

What Goes Well with Honey Garlic Chicken

• Pair the crunchy chicken with a light, refreshing cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil to balance the rich, sweet-savory flavors.
• Choose a slightly sweet Riesling or a crisp Pinot Grigio that cuts through the chicken's richness and harmonizes with the honey garlic sauce's complexity.
• Serve with jasmine rice or coconut rice to absorb the delicious sauce and provide a neutral base that enhances the chicken's bold taste profile.
• Enjoy with a cold Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi, which offers a clean, crisp finish that perfectly matches the dish's sweet and tangy notes.

Variations to Try for Honey Garlic Chicken Fans

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers. Ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce or substitute with coconut aminos. Reduce added salt in the seasoning and choose low-sodium panko breadcrumbs to cut down on salt content.
• Baked Lighter Chicken: Skip frying and bake chicken pieces on a wire rack at 425F for 20-25 minutes. Spray with olive oil cooking spray to help achieve crispiness while reducing oil consumption.
• Air Fryer Method: Cook chicken pieces in an air fryer at 380F for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. This technique provides a crispy exterior with minimal oil and faster cooking time.

Crispy Chicken FAQ Round-Up

• Is it necessary to use panko breadcrumbs?

You can substitute regular breadcrumbs, but panko creates a crispier, lighter coating that gives the chicken a superior crunch and texture.

• Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Baking is possible but won’t achieve the same crispy exterior. If baking, coat chicken in oil, use a high temperature around 425F, and flip halfway to ensure even browning.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165F at the thickest part. Golden brown color and clear juices are also good indicators of doneness.

• What if I don't have rice vinegar?

You can replace rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. These alternatives will provide similar tangy notes to the honey garlic sauce.

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

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

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Description

Succulent Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken brings golden-brown perfection to your dinner table with irresistible flavors. Juicy chicken pieces glazed in sweet and savory sauce promise a restaurant-worthy meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Coating and Frying Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Sauce Ingredients:

• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry)

Garnish Ingredients:

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken pieces by generously seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor absorption.
2. Create a three-stage coating system: combine flour and cornstarch in one vessel, whisk eggs in another, and place panko breadcrumbs in the third container.
3. Methodically dredge each chicken piece through the flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then transfer to the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off before rolling in panko breadcrumbs.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to precisely 350F, maintaining consistent temperature for optimal crispiness.
5. Carefully lower breaded chicken into hot oil, working in small batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain oil temperature.
6. Fry chicken pieces, rotating periodically, until they achieve a rich golden-brown exterior and reach safe internal temperature, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch.
7. Remove fried chicken and drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil, preserving the crispy texture.
8. Craft the honey garlic sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and finely minced garlic in a saucepan over medium heat.
9. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and develops a glossy consistency.
10. Transfer crispy chicken to a large mixing bowl and pour the warm honey garlic sauce over the pieces, gently tossing to ensure uniform coating.
11. Plate the sauced chicken, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added visual appeal and texture.
12. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or vibrant stir-fried vegetables to complete the meal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are uniformly sized for even cooking and consistent crispiness.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help the coating adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
• Use a thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature, preventing soggy or burnt chicken.
• Customize the sauce’s sweetness and heat by adjusting honey and adding red pepper flakes for extra kick.
• Gluten-free option: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Baking alternative reduces oil usage – arrange breaded chicken on a wire rack and bake at 425F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
• For lighter version, use air fryer at 375F for 12-15 minutes, spraying chicken with minimal oil.
• Make ahead and reheat chicken in oven at 350F for 10 minutes to maintain crispiness.
• Extra sauce tip: Double the sauce recipe to have additional drizzling options at the table.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg