This Easy Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is sweet, savory, and crispy with an irresistible sticky honey garlic sauce! Made in just 30 minutes, this homemade takeout classic is better than your favorite restaurant and perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Crispy & Sticky – Perfectly golden fried chicken coated in a sweet garlic sauce.
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in 30 minutes!
✔️ Better Than Takeout – No artificial ingredients, just bold flavors.
✔️ Customizable – Make it spicy, swap the protein, or bake instead of fry!
Ingredients
For the Crispy Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (slurry for thickening)
For Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
Instructions
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
- In a bowl, whisk cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- In another bowl, whisk egg and water.
- Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then coat evenly in the cornstarch mixture.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
- Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
Step 4: Toss & Serve
- Add crispy chicken to the sauce and toss until well coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Step 5: Enjoy!
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
🍚 Serve over jasmine rice, fried rice, or lo mein noodles.
🥦 Pair with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or stir-fried veggies.
🌶️ Add spice with extra red pepper flakes or Sriracha.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Crisp up in an air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes or in a skillet.
- Freeze: Freeze crispy chicken separately and reheat before adding to the sauce.
FAQs
1. Can I make this without frying?
Yes! Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Or bake at 425°F for 20 minutes.
2. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Thighs stay juicier and more flavorful.
3. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce and swap cornstarch for flour entirely.
4. Can I make this with tofu or shrimp?
Yes! Tofu: Use extra-firm tofu and press before coating. Shrimp: Fry for just 2-3 minutes.
5. How do I make it extra crispy?
Double-fry the chicken: Fry once, let rest for 2 minutes, then fry again for 1-2 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is a sweet, savory, and perfectly crispy dish that beats takeout every time! Whether served with rice, noodles, or veggies, it’s a must-try homemade favorite.
🍯🍗🔥 Tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out! 😊