Sticky Honey Chicken Recipe
This Sticky Honey Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked to golden perfection and coated in a luscious, sweet, and savory honey-soy sauce. Enhanced with garlic, ginger, and a touch of vinegar, this quick skillet dish is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions for added texture and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 500 g (1 lb) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (cornstarch slurry)
Garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated. This will help give the chicken a slight crispiness once cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, combine 1/3 cup honey, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), 1 teaspoon sesame oil (if using), minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger (if using). Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) once more and slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat each piece thoroughly with the sticky honey sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors and reheat the chicken if needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the sticky honey chicken to a serving dish. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the top for a burst of nutty flavor and fresh crunch. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can lightly dredge and fry the chicken twice before coating with sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey according to your taste.
- Sesame oil is optional but adds a wonderful depth of flavor; omit for a milder sauce.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results, or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- This dish pairs well with steamed white rice, brown rice, or noodles.
Keywords: sticky honey chicken, honey chicken recipe, quick chicken skillet, sweet and savory chicken, Asian chicken dish
Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/sticky-honey-chicken-recipe/