Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy, delicious dinner that combines golden, crunchy chicken pieces with a sweet, savory, and garlicky sauce. The chicken is lightly coated and pan-fried until wonderfully crisp, then tossed in a sticky honey garlic glaze that coats every bite. It’s perfect served with steamed rice, noodles, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3–4 tablespoons cooking oil, for frying
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnishing:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- A little chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, optional
How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken
1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Cut it into bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly and evenly. Try to keep the pieces roughly the same size.
2. Make the crispy coating
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Then place it into the flour-and-cornstarch mixture. Toss well and gently press the coating onto the chicken.
The combination of flour and cornstarch helps create a crispier exterior.
3. Heat the oil
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil. Allow the oil to become hot before adding the chicken.
Avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
4. Cook the chicken until crispy
Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot skillet. Cook for about 3–5 minutes per side, depending on their size, until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels while you finish the remaining pieces.
5. Prepare the honey garlic sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, ketchup, ginger, and sesame oil.
In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth. This creates a quick slurry that will help thicken the sauce.
6. Cook the sauce
Wipe out any excess oil from the skillet if needed, then place the skillet over medium heat.
Pour in the honey-soy mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn.
Add the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring. Within about 1–2 minutes, the sauce should become glossy and slightly thick.
7. Add the crispy chicken
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Gently toss the pieces through the sauce until every piece is coated.
Don’t cook the chicken in the sauce for too long, because the longer it sits, the more the crispy coating will soften.
8. Garnish and serve
Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the chicken with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and crispy.
Best Ways to Serve It
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken pairs especially well with:
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Fried rice
- Chow mein or noodles
- Steamed broccoli
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Roasted carrots
- Cucumber salad
- A simple green salad
Tips for Extra-Crispy Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry before coating it.
- Use cornstarch along with flour for a lighter, crispier crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet.
- Make sure the oil is hot before adding the chicken.
- Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
- Add the crispy chicken to the sauce right before serving.
- For the best texture, serve immediately after tossing with the glaze.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days.
For the best texture, reheat it in an oven or air fryer rather than a microwave. The coating may become softer after refrigeration, but reheating with dry heat can help restore some of its crispness.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Main Ingredient: Chicken
This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken is a great choice when you want a quick homemade dinner with restaurant-style flavor. The crunchy chicken, sticky honey glaze, and plenty of fresh garlic create a combination that makes this dish especially appealing to the whole family.