Name: Easy Honey Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 21 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts (, cut into bite-sized chunks *(about 1-inch to 1 and 1/4-inch pieces).); 1 tablespoon peanut oil or canola oil; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground black pepper; 1 egg (, beaten); 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground black pepper (, optional); 1/4 cup honey; 1/2 cup warm water + 1/2 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); 1/4 to 1/3 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)

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This quick and easy homemade Chinese-style recipe features tender chicken with a crispy exterior and a juicy interior, all coated in a delicious honey sauce bursting with rich flavors.

Whether it's a busy weeknight or a special family dinner, this Spicy Honey Chicken will impress.

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. 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 2 - 3 minutes or until the bottom turns golden.

Flip to brown on the other side for 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 it 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.

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Recipe

Easy Honey Chicken

by Camila Benitez

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 , this Spicy Honey Chicken is sure to impress. So, let's dive into the recipe and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave everyone craving more!

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6

Total Time 21

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings

Calories 188 kcal

Equipment

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

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.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Honey Chicken

Amount per Serving

Calories

188

% Daily Value*

Fat

Saturated Fat

Trans Fat

0.01

Polyunsaturated Fat

Monounsaturated Fat

Cholesterol

Sodium

297

Potassium

261

Carbohydrates

Fiber

Sugar

Protein

Vitamin A

303

Vitamin C

Calcium

Iron

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.