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Irresistible Chinese Honey Chicken Recipe Perfect for Dinner

Chinese honey chicken - featured image

This Chinese honey chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken coated in a golden, glossy honey sauce with the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It’s quick, easy, and better than takeout!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (65g) cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) grated ginger
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken by cutting the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and patting them dry with paper towels.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs.
  3. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the flour-cornstarch mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Set aside on a tray.
  4. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (around 350°F/175°C), carefully place the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  6. Place the fried chicken pieces back into the skillet or a clean wok. Pour the honey sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
  7. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

[‘Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure crispiness.’, ‘Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).’, ‘Prep all ingredients beforehand for a smoother cooking process.’, ‘Adjust sweetness by reducing honey and adding more soy sauce or rice vinegar.’, ‘For extra crunch, double fry the chicken by letting it cool for 1-2 minutes after the first fry, then frying again for 1-2 minutes.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese honey chicken, easy dinner recipe, quick chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, better than takeout