Description
Sticky Honey Chicken is a quick and easy dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory honey-soy glaze. With a perfect balance of honey sweetness, garlic, ginger, and a hint of vinegar, this recipe delivers a flavorful meal ready in just 25 minutes. It’s great for weeknight dinners and pairs well with steamed rice or vegetables for a satisfying homemade Asian-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (cornstarch slurry)
For Garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl until they are evenly coated. This coating helps to create a crispy texture when cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Once done, set the chicken aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil (if using), minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat all pieces thoroughly. Let the chicken warm through with the sauce for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the sticky honey chicken to a serving dish and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added flavor and texture. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat or chicken breasts for leaner pieces.
- Adjust the amount of honey or soy sauce to taste for a sweeter or saltier sauce.
- Serve this dish over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- The cornstarch slurry is essential for thickening the sauce to achieve the sticky texture.
