Irresistible Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Cooking a delectable chinese honey garlic chicken demands creativity and passion for bold flavors.

Passionate home chefs understand the magic of blending sweet and savory ingredients.

Crispy textures and rich aromas promise an unforgettable dining experience.

Succulent chicken pieces coated in a glossy, caramelized sauce will make taste buds dance with excitement.

Simple techniques and readily available ingredients ensure anyone can master this delightful dish.

Minimal prep work means you can whip up restaurant-quality goodness in your own kitchen.

Let’s embark on a culinary adventure that will impress everyone at the dinner table.

Why Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Is a Must-Try

• Nail Crispy Texture: Perfectly golden-brown chicken with a crunchy exterior that delivers satisfying crackle in every single bite.
• Master Quick Flavor Explosion: Simple ingredients transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish packed with sweet, tangy, and savory notes that dance on your taste buds.
• Create Restaurant-Style Magic at Home: Skip expensive takeout and impress family and friends with professional-level cooking skills using basic kitchen tools and accessible ingredients.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or tweak sauce ingredients to match personal preferences and dietary needs without complicated modifications.

What Goes Into Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein and base for the crispy dish.

• Eggs: Creates a smooth liquid base for helping cornstarch adhere to chicken pieces.
• Cornstarch: Provides a light, crispy exterior that ensures golden brown texture when fried.

• Honey, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: Combine to create a sweet and tangy flavor profile for the chicken.
• Garlic, Ginger: Offer robust and aromatic flavor dimensions to the sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a distinctive nutty undertone to the overall dish.

• Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep frying chicken to achieve crispy exterior.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Provide fresh color, mild onion flavor, and crunchy texture as finishing garnishes.

• Black Pepper, Salt: Enhance and balance the overall flavor profile of the chicken and sauce.

How to Get That Golden Crunch with Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Pieces

Slice chicken into bite-sized chunks that are roughly the same size. This ensures each piece cooks evenly and looks beautiful on the plate.

Step 2: Create Egg Wash

Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk them until they become a smooth, consistent liquid that will help the coating stick perfectly to the chicken.

Step 3: Coat Chicken in Cornstarch

Roll each chicken piece generously in cornstarch, making sure every nook and cranny is covered. This magical coating will create an irresistibly crunchy exterior.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or wok. Bring the temperature up to 350°F – the sweet spot for achieving golden, crispy perfection.

Step 5: Fry Chicken Batches

Gently lower chicken pieces into the hot oil. Work in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady and prevent soggy chicken.

Step 6: Achieve Golden Crispiness

Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes, turning pieces occasionally. Look for a gorgeous golden-brown color that screams crunch with every bite.

Step 7: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate. Let the towels soak up any extra oil, keeping your chicken light and crisp.

Step 8: Create Honey Garlic Sauce

• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Ginger
• Black pepper
• Salt

Step 9: Simmer Sauce

Cook sauce over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly to blend flavors and create a glossy, mouth-watering coating.

Step 10: Coat Chicken in Sauce

Toss crispy chicken pieces in the warm honey garlic sauce. Ensure every piece gets a luxurious, even glaze.

Step 11: Garnish and Plate

• Thinly sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds

Step 12: Serve Immediately

Enjoy right away while the chicken stays crispy and the sauce remains warm, delivering maximum flavor and texture.

Tips for Making Crispy Chinese Chicken Just Right

• Maintain Chicken Size Uniformity: Cut chicken pieces exactly the same size to guarantee consistent cooking and crispy texture throughout each bite.
• Control Oil Temperature Precisely: Use a thermometer to keep oil at 350°F, ensuring golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking chicken pieces.
• Drain Excess Oil Thoroughly: Place fried chicken on paper towels to absorb extra oil, preventing soggy or greasy results and maintaining crisp coating.
• Balance Sauce Ingredients Carefully: Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios to create perfect sweet-savory balance without overwhelming the delicate chicken flavor.
• Serve Immediately for Optimal Crunch: Coat chicken with sauce right before serving to preserve crispy exterior and ensure maximum texture enjoyment.

Bold Twists for Honey Garlic Chicken Lovers

• Spicy Szechuan Style: Replace honey with Szechuan chili oil and add crushed red pepper flakes for a fiery kick that transforms the original recipe into a bold, heat-packed dish.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Incorporate coconut milk and mild curry powder into the sauce, creating a creamy, aromatic variation that brings Southeast Asian flavors to the classic recipe.
• Korean Gochujang Remix: Blend gochujang paste into the sauce for a sweet-spicy Korean-inspired version with deep, complex flavor profiles that elevate the original chicken preparation.
• Lemon Herb Mediterranean: Swap honey with fresh lemon juice, add dried oregano and thyme, and finish with crumbled feta cheese for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired chicken variation.

What Dishes Pair Best with Crispy Chinese Chicken

• Pair with Bright Riesling: Select a crisp, slightly sweet German Riesling that balances the honey garlic chicken's rich, savory flavors, cutting through the deep-fried crispiness with its refreshing acidity.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice: Serve steamed jasmine rice alongside the chicken to absorb the delicious honey garlic sauce, providing a neutral base that enhances the dish's complex flavor profile.
• Match with Cucumber Salad: Create a light, cool cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the warm, crispy chicken, balancing the meal's texture and temperature.

How to Store and Reheat Crispy Chinese Chicken

• Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate sauce from chicken to maintain crispiness.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Restore crispiness by placing chicken on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture.
• Store honey garlic sauce separately in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir before reusing to restore original consistency.

Got Questions About Crispy Chinese Chicken? Read These!

• Why use cornstarch for coating?

Cornstarch creates an ultra-crispy exterior by forming a protective layer that seals moisture inside the chicken and prevents oil absorption, resulting in a crunchy texture.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breast works perfectly. Just ensure pieces are cut uniformly and avoid overcooking to maintain tenderness and prevent dryness.

• What's the ideal oil temperature for frying?

Maintain oil at 350°F for optimal frying. Too low temperature makes chicken greasy, while too high burns the exterior before cooking through.

• How do I prevent soggy chicken when adding sauce?

Toss chicken in sauce immediately before serving and avoid letting it sit too long. The crispy coating stays crunchy when sauce is added quickly and served right away.

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chinese honey garlic chicken brings sizzling street food magic straight to home kitchens with irresistible golden-brown crunch. Garlicky sweet notes and perfectly crispy coating make this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs or chicken breasts
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cornstarch

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

Frying and Garnish:

• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 green onions
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
2. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl, creating a smooth liquid coating base for the chicken.
3. Dredge chicken pieces thoroughly in cornstarch, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum crispiness.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 350°F, preparing for precise frying technique.
5. Carefully lower coated chicken pieces into hot oil, frying in batches to maintain optimal oil temperature and prevent overcrowding.
6. Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes, rotating pieces to achieve golden brown and crispy exterior with fully cooked interior.
7. Remove chicken using slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
8. In a separate saucepan, combine honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, black pepper, and salt.
9. Simmer sauce ingredients over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to blend flavors and create a glossy consistency.
10. Toss crispy chicken pieces in the warm honey garlic sauce, ensuring complete and even coating.
11. Transfer coated chicken to serving plate, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions and sprinkled sesame seeds.
12. Serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and sauce is warm, maximizing flavor and texture.

Notes

• Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before coating to enhance cornstarch adhesion and create extra crispy texture.
• Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor precise oil temperature, preventing burning or undercooking.
• For gluten-free option, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg