20 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe

Introduction

This 20-minute Honey Garlic Chicken Bites recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken cubes are coated in a crispy crust then tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. It’s easy to make and sure to become a family favorite.

A white bowl filled with a base layer of fluffy white rice, topped with a generous pile of golden-brown glazed chicken pieces. The chicken looks juicy and coated with a shiny, slightly sticky sauce with a few small green herb bits sprinkled on top. A silver spoon rests on the side of the bowl, partially buried in the rice. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a hint of a yellow cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breasts (2 pieces)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp water (to thin out the glaze)
  • 2 tbsp cold butter
  • Garnish with chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Add cornstarch to the chicken and mix well to coat all pieces.
  3. Step 3: Heat avocado oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, lower the heat and add minced garlic and red chili flakes if using. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and water. Cook while stirring for about 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  6. Step 6: Drop in cold butter and swirl the pan until the sauce becomes glossy and luscious.
  7. Step 7: Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the glaze.
  8. Step 8: Serve hot, garnished with chopped chives, and enjoy your flavorful honey garlic chicken bites.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra heat, increase the red chili flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the glaze.
  • Substitute chicken thighs for juicier bites with richer flavor.
  • Use regular cooking oil if avocado oil is unavailable.
  • Turn this dish into a stir-fry by adding vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain the crispy texture, or microwave briefly if in a hurry. Avoid reheating too long to keep the sauce from separating.

How to Serve

The image shows a white bowl filled with white rice at the bottom as the first layer, with plump and slightly sticky grains. On top, there is a second layer of golden-brown glazed chicken pieces that look juicy and tender, each piece glistening with a shiny sauce. The chicken is garnished with small green herb bits and tiny pieces of cooked garlic scattered throughout. The bowl is placed on a surface with a white marbled texture, with some soft light creating slight reflections on the glossy chicken. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before cutting and cooking.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce, the dish can be made gluten-free.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

20 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe


  • Author: Rafael
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast cubes coated in a crispy cornstarch crust and coated in a luscious honey garlic glaze. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of spice, making it an irresistible meal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 lb chicken breasts (2 pieces), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch

Sauce and Cooking

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp water (to thin out the glaze)
  • 2 tbsp cold butter

Garnish

  • Chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a bowl and season evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Coat with Cornstarch: Add the cornstarch to the seasoned chicken and mix thoroughly until each piece is well coated, ensuring a crispy texture when cooked.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Sauté Garlic and Chili Flakes: Lower the heat to medium and in the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red chili pepper flakes if using. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Create the Honey Garlic Sauce: Stir in honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and water. Cook and stir the mixture for approximately 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Add Butter for Glossiness: Drop the cold butter into the skillet and swirl the pan to melt it, combining it with the sauce to create a luscious, glossy glaze.
  7. Toss Chicken in Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it thoroughly in the honey garlic sauce to coat each piece evenly.
  8. Serve: Transfer the honey garlic chicken bites to a serving dish and garnish with chopped chives for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • You can adjust the amount of red chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit them entirely for a milder flavor.
  • Use avocado oil or any neutral oil with a high smoke point for best searing results.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Serve the chicken bites over rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and gently reheated in a skillet.
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: honey garlic chicken bites, quick chicken recipe, crispy chicken, chicken with honey garlic sauce, easy dinner, skillet chicken

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating