Description
Enjoy this Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe that perfectly balances sweet honey and savory garlic flavors with a crunchy fried coating. Made with tender bite-sized chicken pieces fried to golden perfection and smothered in a luscious honey garlic sauce, it’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any night. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles for a delightful family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the cornstarch and flour mixture. Set aside to prepare for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the coated chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Stir gently and bring to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat once thickened.
- Combine and Coat: Place the crispy fried chicken in a large bowl and pour the honey garlic sauce over it. Toss well to ensure all chicken pieces are evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the coated chicken. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in egg and coating before frying.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content.
- Adjust the amount of garlic based on your preference for boldness.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crispy texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated, but the coating may lose some crispness.
