Description
A popular Asian-inspired dish featuring tender, bite-sized chicken pieces with an ultra-crispy double-dredged coating, tossed in a luscious, sweet, and savory honey-garlic glaze. Perfectly balanced with fresh garlic, soy sauce, and sesame, this crowd-pleasing dish delivers an incredible crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works best)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (dissolved in 2 tablespoons water)
Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Start by cutting the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and milk until well combined.
Set up a breading station: one bowl with the flour mixture, one with the egg mixture, and a plate for the breaded chicken. Dip each chicken piece into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and back into the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Set aside the coated chicken pieces.
2. Fry the Chicken:
Heat a large skillet or deep fryer over medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the chicken pieces. The oil should reach approximately 350°F (175°C) for optimal crispiness.
Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each piece for 4–5 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, soy sauce, water, minced garlic, and vinegar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch dissolved in water) and whisk continuously until the sauce thickens. This should take about 2–3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low to keep the sauce warm.
4. Toss the Chicken in the Sauce:
Once the chicken is fried and the sauce is ready, transfer the chicken to a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm honey garlic sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat each piece evenly.
5. Serve:
Plate the crispy honey garlic chicken on a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a finishing touch. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
Extra Crispiness: Resting the breaded chicken for 10 minutes before frying helps the cornstarch-flour coating stick and ensures an ultra-crispy crunch.
Gluten-Free Swap: Use 1:1 gluten-free baking flour or extra cornstarch for the dredging, and substitute Tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
Spicy Kick: Add 1 tsp chili flakes or 1 tbsp Sriracha/chili paste into the honey garlic glaze for heat.
Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 450–500 kcal
- Sugar: 18–20 g
- Sodium: 700–800 mg
- Fat: 15–18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3–5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10–12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40–45 g
- Fiber: 1–2 g
- Protein: 30–35 g
- Cholesterol: 120–140 mg
Keywords: crispy honey garlic chicken, honey garlic chicken thighs, double crusted fried chicken, sticky honey garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner