Honey Garlic Chicken

This delicious Honey Garlic Chicken recipe will make you want to stay in instead of ordering takeout! Sweet, savory, sticky and with just the right amount of spice, this Honey Chicken recipe is the perfect way to top off a bowl of steamed rice or vegetables.

Looking for more quick and easy chicken dinner recipes? Don’t miss out on my easy Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken and Noodles and this Cashew Chicken!

Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

I am a huge fan of stir fry recipes. They are quick, easy and full of flavor. My Chicken Stir Fry has been a huge crowd favorite from the first day I posted it and, as many times as I have made it, it’s still a frequent request in my own home.

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe uses a lot of the same flavors and a similar cooking method but really hones in on the amazing flavor combination of honey and garlic. We’re making the chicken pieces extra crispy with a quick dredge in corn starch but you can cook the chicken just how I did in the chicken stir fry recipe if you prefer.

I really hope you give this one a try and love it as much as we do!

This Honey Chicken is delicious served over a bed of rice for dinner. This amazing sticky chicken tastes even better the next day if you are lucky enough to have leftovers.

More Honey Recipes

Feeling sweet? Honey adds so much flavor and natural sweetness to so many of our favorite recipes. Whether sweet, or savory, honey is the star of these delicious dishes:

1. Honey Walnut Shrimp
2. Tropical Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
3. Honey Mustard Chicken
4. Baked Salmon with Honey Dijon Glaze
5. Honey Butter
6. Honey Balsamic Chicken

What You’ll Need

My guess is that most of these ingredients are ones you will find in your pantry. However, there may be a few you need to add to your shopping list, like toasted sesame oil (one of my all time favorite ingredients).

Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need and, as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post:

Honey Garlic Sauce

• chicken broth – I like to use a low sodium broth or stock so I can control the levels of sodium. In a pinch, you can substitute vegetable broth or beef broth.
• soy sauce – again, I opt for a low sodium version of soy sauce.
• honey – use your favorite brand here or a local honey would be delicious in this recipe.
• cornstarch – this will help to thicken the sauce.
• toasted sesame oil – while completely optional, I do love the complexity and flavor this ingredient adds to the sauce.
• sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes – a great way to add a little heat to the dish, optional.

Chicken:

• boneless skinless chicken thighs – the chicken needs to be cut into 1” pieces. You can also use chicken breast or even pork, though the timing for it will be different. Be sure that whatever you use reaches the appropriate internal temperature before consuming.
• cornstarch – this is what the chicken pieces are dredged in. When fried, it creates a light, crispy coating that soaks up the flavors of the yummy sauce.
• garlic powder – I like to add a little garlic to the cornstarch so it adds flavor to the chicken. Just one more layer of garlic flavor in this honey garlic chicken recipe.
• ground ginger – I used ground ginger, but you can use freshly grated ginger instead. You would need ½ tablespoon of fresh ginger or ginger paste.
• extra virgin olive oil – You can use your favorite cooking oil, though it is best to use one with a high smoke point such as grapeseed oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil so that it doesn’t burn when cooking the chicken. 
• garlic – fresh garlic, minced adds the amazing garlic flavor we want in the garlic honey chicken.
• sesame seeds and green onion – to garnish

How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Prepare the Sauce

1. Whisk together corn starch and a couple tablespoons of chicken broth until smooth.
2. Whisk in the remaining sauce ingredients and set aside,

Make the Chicken

1. Heat oil over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Combine the corn starch, garlic powder and ground ginger in a small, shallow bowl.
3. Toss the pieces of chicken in the mixture until coated.
4. Add chicken (in batches if necessary) to the hot oil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, turning the chicken pieces over so they brown evenly. Remove and set aside.
5. Add garlic and cook garlic, stirring continuously for 1 minute.
6. Pour in the sauce and stir to combine with the garlic.
7. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
8. Add chicken and stir to combine.
9. Cook until the sauce has achieved your preferred thickness and consistency. Test for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
10. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onion and serve over rice.

The chicken can and should be cooked in batches so it cooks evenly and browns well.

Storage Information

Be sure that your Honey Garlic Chicken has completely cooled before storing it. Place the leftovers in a shallow, airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To Freeze: You can also freeze this chicken in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or skillet over low heat.

Trish’s Tips and Tricks

This recipe is a delicious alternative to ordering take out and it can be nearly that easy with the following tips and tricks! 

• Evenly cut chicken pieces so that your chicken cooks through evenly and you don’t end up with dried out chicken pieces and other pieces still underdone.
• Turn up the heat by adding a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce.
• When browning the chicken, don’t overcrowd the pan. If necessary, you can cook the chicken in two batches so that you have room for it to brown and cook evenly. The chicken will be added to the hot sauce and simmered slightly at the end anyways so you can remove the first batch from the pan, cook the second and not worry about it getting too cold. 
• Avoid any clumps with your cornstarch: while making your sauce, start with just a couple tablespoons of the chicken broth and gradually whisk in the cornstarch until you get a thick paste. Slowly add in the rest of the chicken broth, stirring continually, until it is all added. You can then add the rest of the ingredients, whisk together and let the sauce set until you are ready for it.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

1. Honey Mustard Chicken
2. Chicken Marinade
3. Chicken Alfredo Bake
4. Honey Balsamic Chicken
5. Cilantro Lime Chicken
6. Chicken Salad

How To Make Honey Garlic Chicken