Description
Sticky Honey Chicken is a quick and delicious dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sweet, and savory honey-soy sauce with a hint of garlic and ginger. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
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)
Garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl until they are evenly coated. This helps create a crispy texture when cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil (if using), minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until the sauce thickens, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it well to coat all pieces with the sticky sauce. Let it heat through for an additional 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the sticky honey chicken to a serving plate. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving for an added crunch and fresh flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use chicken thighs rather than breast as they tend to stay more tender and juicy.
- Adjust the amount of honey or soy sauce according to your preferred sweetness or saltiness.
- Serve over steamed rice or with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with sesame oil for a nuttier flavor but reduce the quantity as it’s stronger.
- Make sure to stir the sauce continuously after adding the cornstarch slurry to avoid lumps.
