This quick and easy homemade Chinese-style recipe features tender chicken with a crispy exterior and a juicy interior, all coated in a luscious honey sauce bursting with rich flavors. It's a delightful combination of sweet and savory that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether it's a busy weeknight or a special family dinner, this Spicy Honey Chicken will impress. So, let's dive into the recipe and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave everyone craving more!
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What is Honey Chicken?
Honey Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish made with tender chunks of chicken that are coated in a crispy batter and then stir-fried with a sweet and savory honey sauce. The chicken is first mixed with oil, salt, garlic, and either cayenne or black pepper, then coated in a mixture of beaten egg and cornstarch before being fried in oil. The honey sauce is made with honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine, and a few other ingredients and is thickened with cornstarch to give it a nice glaze-like consistency.
The chicken is then stir-fried with garlic, ginger, green onions, and dried red chilies (optional) and finished with the honey sauce. It is typically served over steamed rice or noodles and garnished with sesame seeds and additional green onions.
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
To marinate the chicken:
- Chicken: Provides the protein for the dish.
- Peanut or Canola Oil: Used in the marinade and for fried chicken. It adds flavor and helps to tenderize the meat.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the taste of the chicken.
- Granulated Garlic: Adds flavor to the chicken.
- Cayenne Pepper or Ground Black Pepper: Add spice to the chicken marinade.
To coat the chicken:
- Egg: Helps to create a crispy coating on the chicken.
- Cornstarch: Used to coat the chicken and make it crispy when fried.
For the Honey Sauce:
- Honey: Provides the sauce's sweetness and helps balance the savory flavors.
- Warm Water: Used to dissolve the bouillon and cornstarch in the sauce.
- Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon: Adds savory flavor to the sauce.
- Shaoxing Wine or Dry Sherry Wine: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Reduced-Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides the salty taste of the sauce.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds acidity to the sauce.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add heat to the sauce.
Additional:
- Garlic: Adds flavor to the stir-fry.
- Ginger: Adds a fresh, spicy flavor to the stir-fry.
- Green Onions: Adds flavor and color to the dish.
- Dried Red Chilies: Add heat to the stir-fry.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Honey Chicken
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces, peanut oil, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt. Mix well and let marinate for 10 to 15 minutes. Mix all the ingredients for the honey sauce in a small bowl and set aside. Add the beaten egg into the bowl with the chicken.
Stir to mix well. In a large ziplock bag, combine the cornstarch and cayenne pepper, add the chicken pieces to the bag, and shake to coat the chicken until well coated. Heat the oil (about ¼ to ⅓ cup) in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
Add chicken all at once and spread out into a single layer in the skillet. Cook without touching the chicken for 2 - 3 minutes or until the bottom turns golden. Flip to brown the other side, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a big plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
Wipe the skillet with paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add the chilies, garlic, ginger, white part of the green onion, and some green parts, and stir-fry for a few seconds to release the aroma.
Stir the honey sauce again to dissolve the cornstarch, pour into the skillet thoroughly, and cook stirring until the sauce thickens about 1 minute. Add the chicken back to the pan and toss to combine. Transfer the Spicy Honey Chicken to a plate, garnish with the green part of the green onion, and serve hot over steamed rice. You can add some steamed vegetables on the side if desired.
Substitutions
- Chicken: You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can substitute tofu for chicken.
- Peanut or Canola Oil: You can use vegetable, sunflower, or any other neutral-tasting oil.
- Kosher Salt: You can use any other type of salt, such as sea or table salt.
- Granulated Garlic: You can use fresh minced garlic instead of granulated garlic.
- Rice Vinegar: You can use apple cider or white vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
- Red Pepper Flakes: You can use chili paste, hot sauce, or freshly chopped chili peppers instead of red pepper flakes.
- Garlic: You can use garlic powder or omit it if you dislike it.
- Ginger: You can use ground ginger or ginger paste instead of fresh ginger.
- Green Onions: You can use regular or scallions instead of green onions.
- Dried Red Chilies: You can omit the chilies if you don't like spicy food.
Variations
- Orange Honey Chicken: Add the zest and juice of one orange to the honey sauce to give it a citrusy flavor.
- Sesame Honey Chicken: Add toasted seeds for extra nuttiness and crunch.
- Spicy Honey Chicken: Increase the amount of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes in the recipe for a spicier version.
- Teriyaki Honey Chicken: Replace the Shaoxing wine with mirin and add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the honey sauce to make it more like a teriyaki sauce.
- Pineapple Honey Chicken: Add pineapple chunks to the dish for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Cashew Honey Chicken: Add toasted cashews for extra crunch and flavor.
- Lemon Honey Chicken: Add the zest and juice of one lemon to the honey sauce for a tangy and refreshing flavor.
- Garlic Honey Chicken: Add garlic to the dish for a more robust flavor.
- BBQ Honey Chicken: Replace the soy sauce with barbecue sauce and add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the honey sauce for a smoky and sweet flavor.
How to Serve
To Serve Honey Chicken, there are several options you can choose from. The traditional way to serve it is over a bed of steamed rice, but you can also pair it with noodles, such as udon or lo mein noodles, or add some vegetables to the dish, such as broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, or carrots. You can also serve it with a side salad or a dipping sauce or wrap it in a tortilla or lettuce leaf for a quick and easy meal.
How to Store & Re-Heat
Place leftover Honey Chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it for 2-3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it for 2 minutes for a quick option, or better results, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat with a touch of oil to maintain its crispiness. Make sure it's heated through before serving. Enjoy your reheated Honey Chicken!
Make-Ahead
For a make-ahead option, you can marinate the chicken and prepare the honey sauce in advance, keeping them in separate containers in the refrigerator. When you're ready to cook, simply coat and fry the chicken, stir-fry the sauce, and combine them per the recipe instructions for a quick and convenient meal.
How to Freeze
To freeze Honey Chicken, allow it to cool to room temperature, divide it into smaller portions, and place them into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Remember to label the containers with the date and contents. Honey Chicken can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to use the frozen Honey Chicken, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
You can then reheat it using the same methods as reheating fresh Honey Chicken, such as on the stove, in the microwave, or in the oven. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a food thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming it. Refreezing thawed Honey Chicken is not recommended, so only freeze the chicken once.
Tips for Making The Best Honey Chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces: Cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces ensures they cook evenly and quickly.
- Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight adds flavor and helps to tenderize the chicken.
- Use peanut or canola oil for frying: Peanut or canola oil has high smoke points and neutral flavors, making it great for frying.
- Do not overcrowd the pan: Fry the chicken in batches and avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding the pan can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.
- Coat the chicken in cornstarch: Coating the chicken in cornstarch before frying helps to create a crispy exterior.
- Make the sauce in advance: Making the sauce in advance allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
- Use high-quality honey: Using high-quality honey adds a rich, sweet flavor to the sauce.
- Add aromatics to the stir-fry: Adding garlic, ginger, and green onions adds depth of flavor and aroma.
- Adjust the spiciness to your liking: Add the amount of cayenne or red pepper flakes. Remember, you can always add more spice, but you can't take it away.
- Garnish the dish: Adding chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or sliced red peppers as a garnish adds a pop of color and flavor to the dish.
FAQ
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs. Just be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Can I use a different type of oil for frying?
For frying, you can use any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or sunflower.
Can I use honey mustard instead of honey?
While you can use honey mustard instead of honey, it will change the dish's flavor. In addition, the sweetness and consistency of honey are difficult to replicate with other ingredients.
Can I make Honey Chicken in the oven?
While Honey Chicken is traditionally made by stir-frying the chicken, you can also bake it in the oven. To do this, arrange the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
Can I use frozen chicken?
It is recommended to use fresh or thawed chicken for the best results. Frozen chicken may release more liquid when cooked, resulting in a less crispy texture.
Can I make Honey Chicken gluten-free?
You can make Honey Chicken gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce and ensuring your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
How spicy is Honey Chicken?
The spiciness of Honey Chicken can be adjusted to your liking by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. The recipe, as written, is mildly spicy.
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- Chicken Piccata
- Buffalo Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings
- Chinese Style Chicken Wings
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- Sichuan Mala Chicken
Recipe
Easy Honey Chicken
Ingredients
To marinate the chicken:
- 1 pound chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into bite-sized chunks *(about 1-inch to 1 and ¼-inch pieces).
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil or canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground black pepper
To coat the chicken:
- 1 egg , beaten
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground black pepper , optional
For the Honey Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup warm water + ½ teaspoon Knorr chicken flavor bouillon or water
- 3 tablespoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry wine
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes , to taste
Additional
- ¼ to ⅓ cup peanut oil for the stir-fry
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger , minced
- 3 green onions , chopped, with the white and green parts separated
- 3 dried red chilies , optional
Instructions
- Combine the chicken pieces, peanut oil, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and let marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the honey sauce and set aside.
- Add the beaten egg into the bowl with the chicken. Stir to mix well. In a large ziplock bag, combine the cornstarch and cayenne pepper, add the chicken pieces to the bag and shake to coat the chicken until well coated.
- Heat the oil (about ¼ to ⅓ cup) in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken all at once and spread out into a single layer in the skillet. Cook without touching the chicken for about 2 - 3 minutes or until the bottom turns golden. Flip to brown the other side, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a big plate lined with a paper towel and set aside. Wipe the skillet with paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add the chilies, garlic, ginger, white part of the green onion, and some green parts, and stir-fry for a few seconds to release the aroma.
- Stir the honey sauce again to dissolve the cornstarch, pour into the skillet thoroughly, and cook stirring until the sauce thickens about 1 minute. Add the chicken back to the pan and toss to combine. Transfer the Spicy Honey Chicken to a plate, garnish with the green part of the green onion and serve hot over steamed rice. You can add some steamed vegetables on the side if desired.
- Enjoy!
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.