Let me tell you about this Honey Garlic Chicken. It’s sweet, sticky, a little garlicky, and totally delicious! I make this when I want something quick but still full of flavor. The chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and then coated in the most amazing sauce that’s made with honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Oh, and a little chilli kick if you want!
It’s such a fun recipe because it comes together fast, and the smell of that garlic cooking in sesame oil is just. Whether I serve it with fluffy white rice or toss it over noodles, it always disappears fast. You can even meal-prep this for lunch the next day just heat it up and you’re good to go!
Method
Coating the Chicken
Start by preparing your chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into small cubes, making sure they’re even in size so they cook evenly. In a mixing bowl, combine the corn flour, salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Give it a quick mix, then toss in your chicken pieces. Use your hands or a spoon to coat each cube thoroughly. This flour mix gives the chicken that crispy outside once fried, so take your time to coat it well.
Frying the Chicken
Heat a medium-sized pan over medium heat and pour in the vegetable oil. Let it get hot enough to sizzle. You can test it by dropping in a tiny piece of coated chicken; if it bubbles, it’s ready. Gently place the chicken pieces into the oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. If needed, cook them in two batches. Fry the chicken for about 7–8 minutes, turning occasionally until each piece is golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any extra oil.
Making the Sauce
In a separate bowl, make your sauce mixture. Combine your corn flour slurry (that’s 1 tbsp corn flour mixed into 1/2 cup water) with soy sauce, honey, and crushed chilli flakes if you want a spicy kick. Set this aside for a moment. In a clean pan, heat the sesame oil (or any neutral oil) on low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook it gently, just until it becomes fragrant this should only take about 30 seconds. Make sure not to brown the garlic, or it’ll turn bitter. Now, pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the garlic. Stir it constantly as it starts to bubble and thicken into a shiny, sticky glaze.
Bringing It All Together
Once the sauce is thick and glossy, it’s time to add the crispy chicken. Drop all the fried chicken cubes into the pan and toss them in the sauce. Stir gently but quickly so every piece is coated in that delicious sticky honey garlic glaze. The sauce will cling to the chicken beautifully, and the aroma at this point is just incredible.
Garnishing & Serving
When the chicken is fully coated and warmed through, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a serving plate or bowl. Sprinkle some sesame seeds for a little crunch and sliced red chillies if you like a pop of color and heat. That’s it your Honey Garlic Chicken is ready to serve!
Necessary Tools
- Two medium-sized pans
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Knife and chopping board
- Tongs or spatula
- Paper towels (for draining the chicken)
- Serving plate or bowl
Honey Garlic Chicken: Sticky, Sweet, and Totally Crave-Worthy!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes15
minutes30
minutesIngredients
For the Sauce:
1 tbsp Corn flour (mixed in 1/2 cup water this is your slurry)
3 tbsp Honey
3 tbsp Soy sauce
2 tsp Garlic (minced)
1 tsp Crushed chilli flakes (optional or to taste)
2 tbsp Sesame oil or neutral oil
For the Chicken:
500g Chicken breast (cut into small cubes)
4 tbsp Corn flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground black pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic powder or granules
1/2 cup Vegetable oil
Garnish (optional):
Sliced red chillies
Sesame seeds
Directions
- Coating the Chicken: First, get your chicken ready. In a bowl, mix the corn flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then add the cubed chicken and toss it around until each piece is coated well. This step makes the chicken crispy when fried.
- Frying the Chicken: In a medium-sized pan over medium heat, add your vegetable oil. Let it heat up until it’s hot enough to sizzle. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the pan. Fry them until they’re golden and cook through. This usually takes around 7–8 minutes. Once done, take the chicken out and set it on a plate lined with paper towels to rest.
- Making the Sauce: Now it’s time to bring the flavor! In a small bowl, mix your corn flour slurry, soy sauce, honey, and chilli flakes (if using). In a clean pan, heat the sesame oil over low heat. Once warm, add the minced garlic and cook it gently just until it smells amazing, but not brown. Now pour in the sauce mix. Keep stirring as it heats up and starts to thicken. This part happens fast! Once the sauce is glossy and sticky, add your fried chicken pieces. Toss everything together so the chicken is nicely coated in that shiny glaze.
- Garnishing & Serving: Transfer the chicken to a plate or bowl. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced red chillies if you’re feeling fancy then it’s ready to serve!
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken; it won’t get crispy. Fry in batches if needed.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken, or the coating might fall off.
- Stir the sauce constantly once it’s on the heat, or it might clump or burn.
- Add the garlic to warm (not hot) oil so it gets fragrant without turning brown or bitter.
- Don’t overcook the chicken in the sauce, toss it in just long enough to coat well and heat through.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it over jasmine or basmati rice for a simple meal
- Pair with veggie stir-fry or bok choy on the side
- Toss with egg noodles or rice noodles for a saucy bowl
- Stuff it in lettuce wraps with some cucumber for a fun twist
- Add it to a lunchbox with rice and greens for the next day
Fun Fact
Honey garlic sauce is loved all over the world, but did you know the combo of sweet and savoury comes from Chinese-American cooking styles? It became super popular in takeout spots and now it’s a comfort food classic!
Conclusion
This Honey Garlic Chicken is the kind of recipe I keep going back to. It’s simple, packed with flavor, and perfect for weeknights or lazy weekends. The sticky sauce makes every bite exciting, and you can tweak the spice to your liking. Whether you’re feeding a family or just treating yourself, this dish delivers every single time. Give it a try you’ll love how easy and tasty it is!
