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Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

This dish features bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a sticky, golden honey garlic glaze. The chicken is pan-fried until crispy and then coated in a thick, glossy sauce that combines sweet honey with savory soy and fragrant garlic, resulting in a tender yet crisp final texture with a caramelized appearance.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch to thicken the sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Bowl

Method
 

  1. Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper, then set aside while you prepare the sauce.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the chicken pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the crispy chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and minced garlic. In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
  4. Pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet used for chicken, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and the sauce to thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet, stirring well to combine. Continue to cook until the sauce turns glossy and coats the back of a spoon, about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Return the crispy chicken to the skillet, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly with the sticky honey garlic glaze. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through and well coated.
  7. Serve the honey garlic chicken immediately, garnished with chopped scallions or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy the crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior with lots of that shiny, caramelized sauce.

Notes

Adjust sweetness by varying honey, and add chili flakes for a spicy kick. For extra crunch, coat chicken in cornstarch twice before frying.