Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate sweet-salty-crunchy comfort food, this Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken is calling your name! Each bite is packed with juicy, tender chicken in a shatteringly crisp coating, all tossed in the most irresistible honey garlic glaze. It’s quick enough for an easy weeknight dinner yet so delicious you’ll want to make it for every special occasion, too.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken is how a handful of kitchen staples come together to create something magical. Each ingredient plays a starring role—bringing flavor, crunch, or that signature sticky glaze you’ll want to mop up every last drop of.

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Thighs stay moist and juicy, making them an ideal choice for frying and for soaking up the sauce.
• Egg: Helps bind the initial coating to the chicken, ensuring every piece is crispy without slipping off.
• Cornstarch: The secret weapon for extra crunch and a lighter, crisper texture—added both to the chicken and the dredge.
• All-purpose flour: Combines with cornstarch to create a sturdy, golden crust that fries up perfectly.
• Soy sauce: Used in both the marinade and the sauce, it brings umami depth and saltiness to balance the honey.
• Black pepper: Adds a hint of gentle heat, lifting all the savory flavors.
• Canola oil: Perfect for frying thanks to its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
• Garlic and ginger: Classic aromatics that infuse the sauce with warmth, zing, and irresistible fragrance.
• Honey: The sweet star of the sauce, bringing sticky goodness to every bite.
• Brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness with a caramelly note that marries beautifully with the honey.
• Sesame oil: Just a splash for nutty aroma and subtle Asian flair.
• Water and cornstarch (for slurry): Thickens the sauce, helping it cling gloriously to the crispy chicken.
• Sesame seeds and green onions (optional): Classic garnishes that add crunch, color, and sharpness at the very end.

Variations

Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken is the ultimate blank canvas for creative swaps and tweaks. Whether you’re working with what you have or cooking for dietary needs, here are some playful ways to make it your own!

• Switch Up The Protein: Try the same method with boneless pork, shrimp, or even tofu for a delicious meatless twist.
• Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce for a fiery kick.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend and use tamari instead of soy sauce for a GF version.
• Bake Instead of Fry: If you’d like a lighter version, bake the coated chicken on a wire rack at 425°F until crisp, then toss in sauce.

How to Make Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by tossing the cubed chicken thighs with egg, a splash of soy sauce, two tablespoons of cornstarch, and a crack of black pepper. The quick marinade means juicy, flavorful chicken in every bite and ensures the coating sticks beautifully for the crispiest results.

Step 2: Prep the Honey Garlic Sauce

While the chicken marinates, combine soy sauce, water, honey, and brown sugar in a bowl—this is the sweet-savory base of your glaze. Sauté the freshly chopped garlic and ginger in hot canola oil until fragrant, then add the soy-honey mixture. Let it gently simmer, and stir in your cornstarch slurry for luscious thickening. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil for that signature aroma!

Step 3: Dredge and Coat

Next, whisk the flour with the remaining cornstarch and add the dry mix directly to your marinated chicken. Toss everything well so each piece is coated in a light, sticky flour layer that will crisp up like a dream once fried.

Step 4: Double Fry for Crunch

Heat a couple inches of oil in a deep pan to 375ºF. Fry the chicken in batches for about 3 minutes, just until pale golden. Rest them on a rack for 5 minutes, then fry a second time for 2 minutes more. This double-frying trick delivers that shatteringly crispy shell you crave from restaurant-style Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken!

Step 5: Toss in Sauce and Serve

Add the crisp, hot chicken pieces to your pan of thickened honey garlic sauce. Toss to coat every nook and cranny so each bite is sweet, sticky, and totally irresistible. Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for the finishing touch.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken

Garnishes

For that signature look (and an extra pop of flavor), top your Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions. They add brightness, crunch, and visual allure that make every plate just a little more special.

Side Dishes

Serve this dish over warm steamed jasmine rice to soak up all the honey garlic sauce, or try it alongside fluffy fried rice or crisp stir-fried vegetables. Some lightly steamed broccoli or bok choy will round out the meal and bring a welcome color contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Platter it family-style for crowd-pleasing dinners, pile onto a bowl of grains for a hearty lunch, or skewer individual pieces for party-ready appetizers. You can even tuck the crispy chicken into lettuce cups with extra sauce for a fun, hand-held twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps lock in flavor and keeps the chicken from getting soggy too quickly.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, lay the cooked chicken pieces (without sauce, if possible) on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just thaw in the fridge before reheating and saucing!

Reheating

To restore that delightful crunch, reheat the chicken in a hot oven (about 400ºF) for 8-10 minutes or until sizzling, then toss with fresh sauce if you have any extra. The air fryer also works wonders for crisping up leftovers!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken is pure joy on a plate—sweet, savory, and oh-so-crunchy, it truly hits every craving. Whether you’re sharing it with family or sneaking seconds for yourself, one thing’s for sure: you’ll be making this recipe again and again. Give it a try, and let every golden, garlicky bite make your day a little brighter!

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