The Most Flavorful Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Ever

Culinary magic happens when Chinese honey garlic chicken enters your kitchen with its irresistible aroma.

Savory meets sweet in this delightful dish that promises pure satisfaction.

Tender chicken pieces glisten with a glossy, amber-colored sauce that whispers of exotic flavors.

Perfectly balanced between tangy and rich, this recipe brings restaurant-quality excitement to your dining table.

Home cooks love how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Each bite tells a story of careful seasoning and thoughtful preparation.

Unleash your inner chef and make this spectacular meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Honey Garlic Chicken Is a Crispy Favorite

• Quick Weeknight Win: Whip up this mouthwatering Chinese honey garlic chicken in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving restaurant-quality meals without the hassle.
• Crispy Texture Delight: Achieve golden, crunchy chicken exterior through a simple flour and cornstarch coating that locks in moisture and creates an irresistible crunch with every bite.
• Restaurant-Style Flavor Hack: Elevate home cooking with a homemade honey garlic sauce that balances sweetness and savory notes, transforming ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dish that rivals takeout.
• Versatile Meal Option: Easily adapt this recipe by serving over rice, noodles, or alongside steamed vegetables, making it a flexible dinner solution for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat perfect for crispy coating, boneless and skinless preferred for easy eating.
• Eggs: Helps create a sticky base for flour mixture, ensures crispy exterior.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Creates crispy golden exterior, helps seal in chicken's moisture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and flavor profile.

• Honey: Provides sweet base for sauce, balances savory elements.
• Garlic, Ginger: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Chinese flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Classic umami component, brings rich saltiness.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds subtle tangy brightness to sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces authentic nutty Asian flavor undertone.
• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Fresh garnish for visual appeal and extra texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep frying, maintains high heat without burning.
• Water (for cornstarch slurry): Helps thicken sauce smoothly.

Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Crispy Prep Plan

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Coating

Grab a shallow bowl and mix together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

This mixture will create a delightful crispy exterior for your chicken.

Dunk each chicken piece into beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage, then roll it through the flour blend.

Make sure every piece gets a perfect, even coating.

Set the prepared chicken aside, ready for its delicious transformation.

Step 2: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok, bringing it to a sizzling medium-high heat.

Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Each piece needs room to crisp up beautifully.

Fry for 4-5 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and cook completely through.

Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Craft Mouthwatering Honey Garlic Sauce

Heat sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Sauté for one minute until the kitchen fills with an incredible aroma.

Pour in honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, stirring to blend all flavors.

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Create a cornstarch slurry and add it to the pan, stirring constantly until the sauce transforms into a luscious, glossy consistency.

Step 4: Combine and Coat Chicken

Gently drop the crispy fried chicken into the bubbling honey garlic sauce.

Toss and turn each piece, ensuring every inch gets covered in the sticky, flavorful glaze.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving plate.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles, and get ready to impress everyone at the table with this irresistible dish.

Sweet and Savory Tips for Honey Garlic Chicken

• Use a light, even coating of flour mixture to ensure maximum crispiness without creating a heavy breading that masks the chicken's natural flavor.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy; use a thermometer for consistent results.
• Adjust honey-to-soy sauce ratio to control sweetness and saltiness; start with equal parts, then modify according to personal taste preference.
• Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to maintain crispiness by allowing air circulation and preventing steam buildup.
• Separate sauce and chicken until serving time to keep the crispy texture intact; reheat chicken in a hot oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crunchiness before adding sauce.

Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Reheating Tips

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain optimal freshness and taste.
• Wrap chicken tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal completely to prevent freezer burn and store for 2-3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure even heating and restore crispy texture.
• Heat chicken in short 30-second intervals, checking between each cycle. Add a small splash of water to prevent dryness and maintain moisture. Stir or rotate chicken to distribute heat evenly.

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Companions

• Pair with Riesling: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling to complement the honey garlic chicken's complex flavor profile, balancing the dish's sweetness and mild spiciness with its crisp, fruity notes.
• Create Asian-Inspired Side Salad: Whip up a quick cucumber and wakame seaweed salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a refreshing, light contrast to the rich, crispy chicken.
• Match with Jasmine Rice: Serve the honey garlic chicken over fluffy jasmine rice, which will absorb the delicious sauce and provide a neutral, fragrant base that enhances the main dish's bold flavors.
• Enhance with Pickled Vegetables: Add a side of quick pickled carrots or daikon radish to introduce a tangy, crunchy element that cuts through the chicken's richness and adds textural complexity.

Honey Garlic Chicken With Cooking Options

• Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or almond flour, and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Substitute flour coating with crushed pork rinds or almond flour, using a sugar-free honey alternative like monk fruit sweetener to maintain the classic flavor profile.
• Air Fryer Method: Skip deep-frying by cooking chicken pieces in an air fryer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, achieving similar crispy texture with minimal oil.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Replace chicken with extra-firm tofu or cauliflower florets, keeping the same coating and honey garlic sauce technique for a plant-based protein option.

FAQs

• Is this recipe spicy?

The honey garlic sauce is not spicy. It has a sweet and savory flavor profile with lots of garlic and honey notes. If you want heat, you can add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the recipe.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breast works perfectly. Just ensure you cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking and adjust cooking time slightly as breast meat can dry out faster than thighs.

• Do I need a deep fryer to make this recipe?

No, you can use a regular deep skillet or wok. The key is maintaining consistent oil temperature around 350-375°F and not overcrowding the pan while frying.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

For a lighter version, you can bake the chicken instead of deep-frying. Coat the chicken pieces with a light spray of oil and bake at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken delivers a perfect balance of golden crunch and sticky-sweet flavor that transports palates to bustling street markets. Simple ingredients combine with expert technique, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily master at home.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

Cooking and Garnish:

• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a seasoned coating by blending flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a shallow vessel.
2. Dredge each chicken morsel through beaten eggs, then thoroughly encase in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet until it shimmers with heat, maintaining a medium-high temperature.
4. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain crisp texture.
5. Fry each batch for approximately 4-5 minutes, rotating to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal doneness.
6. Transfer crispy chicken onto a paper towel-lined surface to absorb excess oil and maintain crunchiness.
7. In a separate pan, gently heat sesame oil and introduce minced garlic and grated ginger, releasing their aromatic essence for roughly one minute.
8. Pour honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar into the pan, creating a harmonious liquid base.
9. Incorporate a cornstarch slurry and stir continuously, allowing the sauce to transform and thicken within two minutes.
10. Gently fold the fried chicken into the glossy honey garlic sauce, ensuring each piece receives an even, luxurious coating.
11. Plate the sauced chicken, adorning with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and delicate green onion garnish.
12. Present immediately alongside steamed rice or tender noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking and crispy texture.
• Pat chicken dry before coating to help flour mixture adhere perfectly and create a crunchier exterior.
• Use a thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe consumption.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Reduce honey for less sweetness or swap with maple syrup for alternative flavor profile.
• Control oil temperature between 350-375°F to prevent burning and achieve golden-brown coating.
• Make sauce ahead and store separately to maintain chicken’s crispiness until serving time.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg