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
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
Instructions
- Warm a skillet with oil at medium-high temperature, ensuring even heat distribution.
- Gently place chicken pieces into the pan, allowing them to sear and develop a rich golden-brown exterior while cooking completely through.
- 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.
- Transfer the prepared sauce over the perfectly cooked chicken, reducing heat to low and letting the flavors meld for 2-3 minutes.
- 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.
- Continue cooking until the sauce transforms into a luxurious glaze, completely enveloping each chicken piece with a tantalizing sheen.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds across the dish for a final burst of color and texture.
- 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