Description

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of vinegar. Quick to make on the stovetop, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or vegetables. Optional additions and substitutions allow you to customize the dish to your taste and dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons oil (peanut or vegetable)

Sauce

1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
1/3 cup chicken broth (or water)
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar)
1 tablespoon soy sauce (tamari or gluten-free for gluten-free version)
1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Optional Garnishes & Add-Ins

1 teaspoon chili sauce (sriracha or sambal oelek)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Vegetables such as snap peas, sugar peas, snow peas, bell pepper, or broccoli
2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

Prepare the chicken coating: Mix the bite-sized chicken pieces into the lightly beaten egg until fully coated. Then add the cornstarch and gently mix until the chicken is just evenly coated with the starch.
Cook the chicken: Heat the oil in a pan, skillet, or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces, spreading them out to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 2-4 minutes per side until the chicken turns golden brown and is cooked through.
Make the sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine honey, chopped garlic, chicken broth, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a bowl. Stir well to dissolve the cornstarch.
Simmer the sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the cooked chicken. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for about a minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
Finish with butter: Stir in the butter until it melts completely into the sauce, adding a rich finish to the dish.
Serve: Enjoy the honey garlic chicken hot, paired with steamed rice or your preferred side. Optionally, garnish with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or add vegetables during cooking for added flavor and nutrition.

Notes

For a lighter version, omit the egg and cornstarch coating and cook the chicken in 1 tablespoon of oil instead.
Add vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli for a complete meal.
Add 1 teaspoon chili sauce for a spicy kick.
Use gluten-free tamari soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
Serving over cauliflower rice is a lower-carb alternative to regular rice.
Steaming rice concurrently is a great way to have a complete meal ready at the same time.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, quick chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken, sweet garlic sauce, weeknight meal