Irresistible Sticky Honey Chicken Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Sticky honey chicken brings a delightful explosion of sweet and savory flavors to your dinner table.

This mouth-watering dish combines tender chicken pieces glazed with a rich, golden honey sauce that makes taste buds dance.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients can create such a remarkable meal in just minutes.

The recipe promises a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle spice that leaves everyone craving more.

Each bite delivers a perfect blend of crispy exterior and juicy chicken interior.

You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.

Sweet Honey Chicken, Why You’ll Love It

• Whip Up Quickly: Prepare this mouthwatering chicken dish in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinner cravings.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels by tweaking red pepper flakes or swap ingredients to match your taste preferences and pantry availability.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Combine sweet honey, tangy soy sauce, and aromatic garlic for a delectable sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into an irresistible meal everyone will love.
• Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Use common kitchen ingredients to create a restaurant-quality dish without spending extra money or requiring advanced cooking skills.

All About Sticky Honey Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken: Protein base of the dish that provides a golden brown, tender meat for the sticky honey sauce.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that creates a glossy, sweet coating for the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth of flavor and umami to the sauce.

• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide a classic Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a subtle heat and spiciness to the dish.
• Vinegar: Adds a tangy balance to the sweet honey sauce.

• Cornstarch, Water: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy, clingy texture.
• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Adds visual appeal and fresh, nutty garnish to the final dish.
• Oil: Used for cooking and browning the chicken.

Making Sticky Honey Chicken, Step by Step

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken pieces until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Make sure each piece is evenly browned for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Explosion

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth, fragrant sauce that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Bring the Sauce to Life

Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet.

Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

If you want a more luxurious sauce, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water.

Stir this mixture into the simmering sauce, watching as it transforms into a glossy, clingy coating.

Step 5: Final Glaze

Continue cooking until the sauce completely embraces the chicken, creating a shiny, irresistible glaze that clings to every piece.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the chicken for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Serve alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Sticky Honey Chicken Perfection

• Toast garlic and ginger before adding to the sauce for enhanced, richer taste profiles.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, glossy sauce texture.
• Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve golden-brown, crispy exterior and prevent steaming.
• Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal spice tolerance for customized flavor intensity.
• Marinate chicken beforehand in sauce ingredients to infuse deeper flavor and tenderize meat.

Ways to Change Up Sticky Honey Chicken

• Spicy Vegan Alternative: Replace chicken with extra-firm tofu, pressing and cubing it before cooking. Use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Swap chicken for cauliflower florets or chicken thighs. Reduce honey and use sugar-free honey substitute or monk fruit sweetener.
• Slow Cooker Method: Brown chicken first, then transfer to slow cooker. Pour sauce over chicken and cook on low for 3-4 hours until tender and sauce thickens.
• Grilled Outdoor Style: Marinate chicken in sauce beforehand, then grill over medium-high heat. Brush additional sauce during grilling for caramelized exterior.

Best Serving Ideas for Honey Chicken

• Sweet Sidekick Suggestion: Pair this sticky honey chicken with fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce and create a complete meal that balances flavors perfectly.
• Veggie Power Plate: Serve alongside roasted broccoli or stir-fried mixed vegetables for a colorful and nutritious dinner that adds extra crunch and nutrition to your dish.
• Fresh Finish Touch: Sprinkle extra sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions on top right before serving to enhance visual appeal and add a subtle fresh kick to the chicken.
• Spice Lover's Option: Drizzle extra red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha sauce for those who enjoy a bit more heat and want to elevate the dish's spice level.

Storing Sticky Honey Chicken After Dinner

• Store leftover honey chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odors from spreading.
• Warm the chicken in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent dryness and maintain moisture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and heat for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle a little extra sauce over the chicken to keep it juicy and flavorful.

FAQs

• Can I use other types of meat instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with pork, tofu, or shrimp for a different flavor profile.

• How spicy is this honey chicken recipe?

The red pepper flakes add a mild kick, but you can adjust the amount to make it more or less spicy according to your preference.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Use gluten-free soy sauce to make it gluten-free. Regular soy sauce contains wheat.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the chicken in advance. Reheat and mix together just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Sicky Honey Chiken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sticky honey chicken brings a symphony of sweet and savory flavors from Asian cuisine. Crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces glazed in a luscious honey sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Thickening & Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tablespoons water (if using cornstarch)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil or vegetable oil

Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm a skillet with oil at medium-high temperature, ensuring even heat distribution.
2. Gently place chicken pieces into the pan, allowing them to sear and develop a rich golden-brown exterior while cooking completely through.
3. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a separate mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic sauce.
4. Transfer the prepared sauce over the perfectly cooked chicken, reducing heat to low and letting the flavors meld for 2-3 minutes.
5. If desired, create a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water until smooth, then gently incorporate into the simmering sauce to enhance thickness and glossiness.
6. Continue cooking until the sauce transforms into a luxurious glaze, completely enveloping each chicken piece with a tantalizing sheen.
7. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds across the dish for a final burst of color and texture.
8. Plate alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables to complete this delectable meal.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken breasts by pounding them to an even thickness before cooking for consistent, juicy results.
• Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan-friendly alternative that maintains similar sweetness.
• Reduce red pepper flakes or omit completely for a mild version suitable for kids or those sensitive to spice.
• Create a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensuring cornstarch is certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg