Honey Garlic Chicken
This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender chicken coated in a luscious, sticky glaze of sweet honey and savory garlic. It's a quick, easy, and versatile recipe perfect for weeknights, guaranteed to impress and satisfy your taste buds.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula
- Serving dish
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium recommended
- ¼ cup water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, combine the honey, soy sauce, water, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and become glossy.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the honey garlic sauce.
- Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to cling to the chicken and create that irresistible sticky glaze. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove the Honey Garlic Chicken from the heat and transfer it to a serving dish.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
- Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
For extra crispy chicken, ensure the pan is hot before adding the chicken and avoid overcrowding. If the sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2-3 months. Tamari can be used instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free. Add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for a complete meal.