Name: Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Quick and Easy Recipes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying); 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tsp sesame oil; Optional: chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

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There are few things that calm a chaotic Tuesday faster than the smell of sizzling garlic and sweet, sticky honey wafting through your kitchen. I’m not saying this crispy honey garlic chicken is magical—but I’m also not *not* saying that. When I first made it, I had zero expectations, just a growling belly and half an hour to spare. Now it’s in permanent dinner rotation. The chicken gets pan-fried until golden and crunchy (seriously, it’s got that addictive, I’ll-just-eat-one-more-bite crunch), then smothered in a garlicky honey glaze that somehow tastes like it took hours to make. Pro tip? Spoon that sauce over rice. Or your fingers. No judgment here. It’s one of those ‘I can’t believe I made this at home’ dishes, perfect for busy nights or when you want to impress yourself. And yes, it totally works with whatever chicken you’ve got lying around. Breast, thigh, nugget—no rules.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
4) How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
5) Tips for Making Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
6) Making Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!
9) Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This crispy honey garlic chicken comes together in about 30 minutes flat.
It’s the perfect weeknight dinner and better than most takeout.
Crunchy, sticky, sweet, and garlicky all in one irresistible bite.
Pairs well with rice, noodles, or even a big ol’ salad if you’re being virtuous.

2) Easy Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

If I had a dollar for every time I made this crispy Chinese honey garlic chicken, I’d have… well, probably enough to cover the takeout I stopped ordering once I nailed this recipe.

It checks every box on my quick and easy recipes checklist. Crispy? Yep. Sweet and garlicky? Double yep. Done before my third scroll through Instagram? You bet. This dish has earned its place on my dinner table and in my stubbornly picky family’s hearts. They ask for it at least once a week, and I pretend like it’s a chore to make—even though I secretly love whipping it up.

There’s something deeply satisfying about hearing the sizzle of chicken hitting the hot pan. That moment when it starts to brown and crisp is the kitchen equivalent of a standing ovation. And when the honey garlic sauce starts bubbling? Oh boy. You know dinner’s about to slap. So, let’s make magic, shall we?

3) Ingredients for Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts – Cut into bite-sized pieces. Thighs have more flavor, but use what you’ve got. Just don’t skip the bite-size cut. That’s where the magic lives.

1/2 cup cornstarch – This is your golden ticket to crunchy town. Cornstarch creates that light, airy crisp that flour just can’t match.

1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp pepper – Basics, yes, but never skimp on seasoning. Salt wakes up the chicken. Pepper adds a whisper of heat.

2 tbsp vegetable oil – For frying. You want a thin coat over your pan. Think shallow pool, not a hot tub.

3 garlic cloves, minced – Use fresh if you can. That punchy aroma you smell when it hits the pan? Chef’s kiss.

1/4 cup honey – Sticky, sweet, and gloriously golden. It’s what gives this dish its shine and addictive taste.

2 tbsp soy sauce – Salty, umami bomb in a bottle. It balances the sweetness like a charm.

1 tbsp rice vinegar – This sneaky little ingredient cuts through the sugar and adds just enough zing to keep things interesting.

1 tsp sesame oil – Optional, but if you’ve got it, drizzle it in. Adds a toasty warmth that rounds out the sauce beautifully.

Chopped green onions + sesame seeds – Totally optional, but boy do they make it feel restaurant-y when you’re showing off.

4) How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1. Toss your chicken pieces in a bowl with the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. You want every nugget lightly dusted, not caked.

Step 2. Heat up the oil in a big pan over medium-high heat. When it’s shimmering, add your chicken. Give them space—they hate being crowded. Cook until golden and crispy, turning once. About 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 3. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate. Try not to eat all of it straight from the pan. I always fail at this step.

Step 4. In that same pan (no need to wash it), drop in your garlic. Let it sizzle for about 30 seconds. Don’t blink—it burns quick.

Step 5. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir and let it bubble for a minute or two. The sauce should get a bit sticky and coat the back of your spoon.

Step 6. Toss the chicken back in and stir to coat. Everything should be glossy, sticky, and glorious.

5) Tips for Making Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Want that chicken extra crispy? Don’t overcrowd your pan. Cook in batches if needed. When the chicken steams instead of fries, you lose that crunch.

If you like a little kick, throw in some chili flakes or a tiny squirt of sriracha with the sauce. It plays really well with the honey.

Always taste your sauce before tossing it with the chicken. Everyone’s honey is different, and sometimes it needs a pinch more soy or vinegar to hit that sweet-umami balance.

6) Making Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Ahead of Time

You can totally prep this ahead—just keep the chicken and sauce separate. Store the chicken in an airtight container and reheat in a pan or oven to get the crisp back. Nobody wants soggy skin.

Reheat the sauce gently on the stove or microwave. If it thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth and stir it back to life.

This quick and easy recipe saves the day during weeknights. I’ll even double the batch, stash half in the fridge, and have a second dinner on autopilot.

7) Storing Leftover Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauce gets even better after a nap in the fridge. The chicken? Still good, but the crunch fades.

Want the crunch back? Toss the leftovers on a sheet pan and warm them in the oven at 375 for 10 minutes. Or throw them in the air fryer. Works like a charm.

It’s one of those quick and easy recipes you’ll actually look forward to eating again, even as leftovers.

8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!

9) Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe