Honey Garlic Chicken recipe

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One bite of this honey garlic chicken, and you’ll be hooked! The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness, this dish is quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress. Whether you need a simple weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal, this recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce that’s simply irresistible!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes!
✔ Better Than Takeout – Fresh, homemade, and packed with bold flavors.
✔ Versatile – Works with chicken thighs, breasts, drumsticks, or wings.
✔ Perfect Pairing – Serve with rice, veggies, or noodles for a complete meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Coating And Searing Chicken For Honey Garlic Chicken

For the Chicken

✔ 1.5 lbs (680g) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
✔ ½ cup all-purpose flour (for a light crispy coating)
✔ ½ teaspoon salt
✔ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
✔ 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

✔ ⅓ cup honey (adds the perfect natural sweetness)
✔ ¼ cup soy sauce (for that umami depth)
✔ 4 cloves garlic, minced (because garlic makes everything better!)
✔ 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar (for a slight tang)
✔ 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, but adds great flavor)
✔ 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (to thicken the sauce)
✔ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Fresh Ingredients For Honey Garlic Chicken – Simple & Flavorful

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
In a bowl, season the chicken with salt and pepper, then coat with flour.
Shake off excess flour to prevent clumping.

2️⃣ Sear the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
Remove from the pan and set aside.

3️⃣ Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then add it to the sauce to thicken.
Simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and sticky.

4️⃣ Coat the Chicken

Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
Toss until fully coated in the honey garlic sauce.

5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!

Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Serve with steamed rice, stir-fried veggies, or noodles for a complete meal.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken

Homemade Honey Garlic Sauce – Sticky, Sweet, And Savory

🔥 For extra crispy chicken: Toss chicken in cornstarch instead of flour before frying.

🧄 Love garlic? Use more fresh garlic or add a dash of garlic powder to the sauce.

🌶 Want it spicy? Add more red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha.

🥦 Make it a meal: Serve with broccoli, bok choy, or bell peppers for added nutrition.

Variations & Substitutions

✔ Baked Version: Instead of pan-frying, bake chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, then toss in the sauce.

✔ Air Fryer Option: Air fry chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

✔ Vegetarian Alternative: Swap chicken for cauliflower or tofu for a plant-based twist!

✔ Keto-Friendly Version: Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour and swap honey for sugar-free syrup or monk fruit sweetener.

Serving Suggestions

🍚 With Rice: Serve over steamed jasmine rice or garlic butter rice for a filling meal.

🥦 With Vegetables: Pair with stir-fried bell peppers, carrots, or green beans.

🍜 With Noodles: Toss with lo mein, udon, or zucchini noodles for a twist.

🥢 As an Appetizer: Use chicken wings instead of bite-sized pieces for honey garlic chicken wings!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using too much flour: A light coating is enough—excess flour can make the chicken gummy.

❌ Overcooking the garlic: Burnt garlic turns bitter, so sauté only for 30 seconds.

❌ Not thickening the sauce: Always use cornstarch slurry to get that perfect sticky consistency.

❌ Skipping the rest time: Letting the chicken sit in the sauce for a few minutes makes it even more flavorful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make honey garlic chicken ahead of time?

Yes! Honey garlic chicken can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, warm it in a pan over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

For meal prep, portion honey garlic chicken with steamed rice and vegetables in meal containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.

Can I freeze honey garlic chicken?

Yes, you can freeze honey garlic chicken! To prevent sogginess, freeze the cooked chicken pieces separately from the sauce in freezer-safe bags. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a pan before tossing in the honey garlic sauce.

✔ Freezing Tip: Store for up to 2 months and reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for best texture.

What’s the best cut of chicken for honey garlic chicken?

The best cuts for honey garlic chicken are:
✔ Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Juicy, tender, and flavorful.
✔ Chicken breasts – Leaner option, but can dry out if overcooked.
✔ Chicken drumsticks or wings – Great for honey garlic chicken wings or baked honey garlic drumsticks.

For crispy honey garlic chicken tenders, coat with cornstarch before frying.

Is honey garlic chicken spicy?

No, honey garlic chicken is not traditionally spicy, but you can adjust the heat by adding:
✔ Red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon for mild heat, 1 teaspoon for extra spice).
✔ Sriracha or hot sauce (1 teaspoon for a spicy kick).
✔ Chili garlic paste (½ teaspoon for an Asian-style spice boost).

Can I bake honey garlic chicken instead of frying?

Yes! For a healthier honey garlic chicken version:

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2️⃣ Place seasoned chicken thighs or breasts on a baking sheet.
3️⃣ Bake for 20-25 minutes (or until internal temp reaches 165°F/74°C).
4️⃣ Brush with the honey garlic sauce during the last 5 minutes of baking for a sticky glaze.

This method works well for honey garlic chicken drumsticks and baked honey garlic chicken wings too!

Can I make honey garlic chicken in the air fryer?

Yes! Air fryer honey garlic chicken is crispy and delicious:

1️⃣ Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Coat chicken in cornstarch or flour for extra crispiness.
3️⃣ Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
4️⃣ Toss in the honey garlic sauce before serving.

For air fryer honey garlic chicken wings, increase cook time to 18-22 minutes for extra crispiness.

What can I serve with honey garlic chicken?

This sweet and savory chicken dish pairs well with:

🍚 Rice: Jasmine rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
🥦 Vegetables: Stir-fried broccoli, bok choy, or bell peppers.
🍜 Noodles: Lo mein, ramen, or zucchini noodles for a honey garlic chicken stir-fry.
🥢 Appetizers: Pair with spring rolls, dumplings, or an Asian slaw.

Can I use chicken wings for honey garlic chicken?

Yes! Honey garlic chicken wings are a popular variation. Simply:

✔ Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40 minutes, flipping halfway.
✔ Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 18-22 minutes.
✔ Toss wings in the honey garlic sauce after cooking for a sticky, flavorful finish.

Is honey garlic chicken gluten-free?

The traditional recipe contains soy sauce and flour (which are not gluten-free), but you can easily make it gluten-free by:

✔ Using gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
✔ Coating the chicken in cornstarch instead of flour.
✔ Serving with gluten-free rice noodles or cauliflower rice.

Can I make honey garlic chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes! Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is an easy set-it-and-forget-it meal:

1️⃣ Place chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker.
2️⃣ Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
3️⃣ Pour over the chicken and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours (or HIGH for 2-3 hours).
4️⃣ Remove chicken, thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry, and return chicken to coat.

Serve slow cooker honey garlic chicken over rice or shred it for tacos, wraps, or sandwiches.

What’s the best way to thicken honey garlic sauce?

The best way to thicken honey garlic sauce is with:

✔ Cornstarch slurry – Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, then stir into the sauce.
✔ Simmering longer – Let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens naturally.
✔ Honey adjustment – If your sauce is too thin, add a bit more honey to help thicken.

Can I use tofu instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Honey garlic tofu is a great vegetarian alternative:

✔ Cut firm tofu into cubes, then press to remove excess moisture.
✔ Coat in cornstarch and pan-fry until crispy.
✔ Toss in the honey garlic sauce and serve over rice or noodles.

What’s the difference between honey garlic chicken and teriyaki chicken?

Both honey garlic chicken and teriyaki chicken are Asian-inspired dishes, but they have different flavor profiles:

✔ Honey Garlic Chicken – Sweet, garlicky, and slightly savory with honey and garlic as the main ingredients.
✔ Teriyaki Chicken – A Japanese dish with a savory-sweet glaze, made with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and ginger.

Final Thoughts

This honey garlic chicken FAQ covers everything you need to know, from how to cook it to best substitutes and serving ideas. Whether you’re making it crispy, baked, slow-cooked, or air-fried, this dish is a must-try for any home cook.

🔥 Have more questions? Drop them in the comments, and let’s talk all things honey garlic chicken! 🍯🍗

Try Next: If you’re a fan of easy yet flavorful recipes, don’t miss our Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf which pairs perfectly with this olive oil dip for an unforgettable dining experience!