If you’ve ever craved that irresistible combination of sweet, savory, sticky sauce clinging to ultra-crispy chicken—get ready. Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is the ultimate comfort food that brings takeout favorite magic straight to your own kitchen. It delivers a crunchy golden crust on the outside, juicy chicken on the inside, and every piece is coated in a glossy sauce that’s garlicky, gingery, and kissed with honey. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, this is the dish that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds (and maybe thirds).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken lies in its simple, pantry-friendly lineup. Each ingredient plays a vital role, coming together for just the right balance of crunch, sweetness, tang, and depth. Get everything set out before you start for smooth sailing in the kitchen!
- Chicken thighs or breasts: Choose boneless, skinless, and cut into bite-sized pieces for perfect crisping and juiciness.
- Cornstarch: Essential for that shatteringly crisp coating—don’t substitute flour here!
- Eggs: Adding a bit of richness and helping the coating to cling to every piece of chicken.
- Salt and black pepper: A little seasoning up front ensures every bite is full of flavor.
- Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil for frying—you want the chicken to shine, not your oil!
- Honey: The star of the sauce, honey adds natural sweetness and a gorgeous sticky finish.
- Soy sauce: For that classic salty, umami depth that balances all the other flavors.
- Rice vinegar: Just a splash brightens up the honey and gives the sauce a pleasant tang.
- Brown sugar: A hint of molasses adds caramel notes and thickness to the sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh, they infuse the sauce with punchy flavor—don’t skimp!
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger brings warmth and a subtle zing to every bite.
- Sesame oil: Just a teaspoon gives the sauce a gently toasted, nutty backbone.
- Cornstarch (for slurry): Thicken the sauce to that perfect takeout-style gloss.
- Water: Used to create the cornstarch slurry—don’t just dump the powder in the sauce!
- Green onions and sesame seeds: Garnishes that add freshness, color, and nutty crunch.
How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels—moisture is the enemy of crispiness! Toss the chicken with the salt and pepper, making sure every piece is seasoned. This is more than just a sprinkle; it builds foundational flavor that shines through all the layers of coating and sauce.
Step 2: Coat in Cornstarch and Egg
Set up a little assembly line: put your cornstarch in one shallow dish and your beaten eggs in another. Dredge each chicken piece in cornstarch so it gets a good, even coat (no bald spots!). Then dip it straight into the eggs, letting any excess drip off. This double-coating method sets the stage for the signature crunch in Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Pour vegetable oil into a heavy skillet so you have about half an inch—enough for shallow frying. Heat over medium-high until shimmering; a small bit of cornstarch should sizzle on contact. Fry the chicken in batches, about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden-brown and crispy. Don’t crowd the pan, or the temperature will drop and you’ll lose that crunch! Drain each batch on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 4: Make the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
While the last batch of chicken fries, start your sauce in a small saucepan. Combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil over medium heat. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer—it’ll start smelling absolutely amazing. In a side bowl, mix the water and cornstarch until smooth, then stir this slurry into your sauce. Keep simmering for a minute or two until it thickens to a shiny, pourable glaze.
Step 5: Toss the Chicken and Serve
Now for the magic moment! Add your hot, crispy chicken to a large clean bowl and pour all that thick, garlicky honey sauce right over. Gently toss until every piece is beautifully coated. Top with chopped green onions and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds for a pop of color and flavor. Your Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is now ready to steal the spotlight at your dinner table!
How to Serve Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
Garnishes
A finishing touch of sliced green onions and a scattering of sesame seeds does more than just look pretty—they add freshness, color, and crunch. If you have black sesame seeds, toss those in too for extra flair! A pinch of chili flakes or a few fresh cilantro leaves are also fantastic ways to pack in extra flavor and make your Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken shine.
Side Dishes
This dish sings when it’s paired with fluffy jasmine rice or steamed white rice, soaking up every bit of that irresistible sauce. If you love noodles, toss up some stir-fried lo mein or serve over simple egg noodles. A side of garlicky stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy balances out all that sticky, crispy goodness with something fresh and green.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to have some fun here! For game-day finger food, serve your Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken on toothpicks or mini skewers. Layer it on lettuce leaves for crunchy lettuce wraps with Asian slaw. Or make a rice bowl with pickled veggies, a soft-boiled egg, and extra sauce drizzled on top—Instagram-worthy and delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken (it’s rare, but it happens), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken will keep well for up to 3 days. Try to store the sauce and chicken separately if you want to preserve the ultimate crunch for reheating.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the fried (but unsauced) chicken on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. The cooked sauce can be frozen in a separate container. To reheat, bake the chicken straight from frozen, then toss with freshly warmed sauce for nearly made-from-scratch results.
Reheating
The best way to restore the crispy coating is in a hot oven or air fryer. Bake at 375°F until heated through and crisp again, about 10–15 minutes. Warm the sauce gently in a saucepan or microwave, then combine just before serving for that signature sticky, glossy finish.
FAQs
Can I make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken gluten free?
Absolutely! Just use certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of the regular soy sauce. Double-check that your cornstarch is gluten free as well, and you’re all set to enjoy this irresistible dish worry-free.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes! Chicken breast works just as well as thighs in Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken. Thighs tend to stay a little juicier when fried, but breast pieces will be wonderfully tender as long as you don’t overcook them. Choose whichever you love best.
Do I have to deep fry, or can I bake/air fry the chicken?
You can definitely bake or air fry for a lighter twist. When air frying, lightly spray the coated chicken with oil and cook at 400°F for about 10–12 minutes, flipping once. For baking, arrange on a parchment-lined sheet, spray or brush with oil, and bake at 425°F until crispy, turning halfway for even browning.
Is the sauce super sweet?
The sauce is sweet, but not overpowering—it balances out thanks to the soy sauce, vinegar, and fresh garlic and ginger. If you prefer a more savory kick or need to cut the sweetness for kids, just reduce the honey a little or add an extra splash of vinegar to adjust to your taste.
What can I do with leftovers?
Turn leftover Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken into tomorrow’s lunch! Pile it into wraps, serve it cold over salads, or chop and stuff it into bao buns. Kids also love it tucked into bento boxes for a sweet-savory treat at school.
Final Thoughts
Trust me—once you’ve tried making this Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken at home, you’ll wonder why you ever called for takeout. The crisp, saucy, totally satisfying bites are pure comfort food and just plain fun to make. I can’t wait for you to taste it, share it, and make it your own signature dish!
Print
Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of this Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken. Featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, this dish is a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for slurry)
For Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in cornstarch, then dip into the beaten eggs.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and fry the chicken until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce: Combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil in a saucepan. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
- Coat the Chicken: Toss the crispy chicken in the sauce until well coated.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- For an extra crispy texture, double fry the chicken.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
