Secret Honey Garlic Chicken That’s Pure Bliss

Are you craving something sweet, sticky and absolutely irresistible?! This honey garlic chicken will become your new weeknight hero! With just 8 ingredients and 20 minutes, you’ll have restaurant quality chicken that’ll make your family beg for seconds.

Why This Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Works Every Time

I’ve been making this honey garlic chicken recipe for over  5 years. My kids really cheer when they smell I am cooking this recipe. The secret? We coat the chicken in cornstarch first. This creates the perfect crispy texture outside the chicken that holds on to every drop of the honey garlic sauce.

Sarah from Texas wrote to me: ” I made this honey garlic chicken last night for dinner and my husband said. It is better than our favorite Chinese restaurant. My 8 year old, actually asked for vegetables because the sauce made everything taste so amazing! “

What Makes This Honey Garlic Chicken Special ?

Perfect balance of flavors! – The honey brings natural sweetness.  The garlic adds the savory punch.  Soy sauce give it depth. Together ?! Pure magic!

Quick and Easy :  No marinating required. No complicated techniques. Just pure simple steps that work every time.

Family Friendly: Even picky eaters love this honey garlic chicken. The sauce is mild enough for kids but flavorful for adults.

 

 

Ingredients You’ll Need  For This Recipe

For the chicken :

• 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs ( You can use any chicken pieces of your choice, cut into bite size pieces)
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

For the honey garlic sauce:

• 1/2 cup of honey ( real raw honey)
• 1/4 cup low sodium sauce
• 6 large garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp of water
• 1/4 tsp of red pepper chilli flakes (optional )

 

** Pro Tip: “I always use chicken thighs with this recipe. It stays juicier for longer and have more flavor than chicken breast.  Trust me on this one. “

 

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken

Step by Step

Step 1: Prep the chicken

Pat the chicken pieces completely dry. This step is very import, because wet chicken won’t get crispy. If the chicken is crispy, it will hold the sauce better. Toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch mixed with salt and pepper. Make sure every piece of chicken is coated. The cornstarch creates that restaurant texture that we all love.

Mike from California shared: I thought the cornstarch step was optional, until I tried it. Game changer! The honey garlic chicken had this amazing crispy coating that the kids thought I ordered take out.

Step 2: Cook the chicken perfectly

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Don’t use very high heat, because you will burn the outside of the chicken before it is cooked inside.
• Add chicken pieces to the skillet. Don’t overcrowd!
• Cook the chicken in batches if needed. Each piece needs space to get golden brown.
• Cook for 6 – 8 minutes, flipping it once. You want beautiful golden color on both sides.
• Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Magic Honey Garlic sauce

• In the same pan ( don’t clean it!), reduce the heat to medium.
• Add the minced garlic, pan fry for 30 seconds.
• Add honey, soy sauce and rice vinegar to the pan.
• Whisk everything together. The mixture will bubble and the smell incredible.
• Stir in the cornstarch slurry ( cornstarch mixed with water)
• This thickens the sauce into that glossy, sticky coating we want.

Step 4: Brings it all together

• Return the chicken to the pan.
• Toss everything together until each chicken piece is coated in that delicious honey garlic sauce.
• Cook for 2 minutes. ( This helps the flavors meld and ensures your chicken is heated).
• Taste and adjust!
• Want it sweeter? Add honey
• Want more garlic punch? Add garlic powder

 

Pro Tips for the Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken

Getting the texture right

Use chicken thighs : They’re juicier and usually cheaper than chicken breast.

Don’t skip the cornstarch coating: This creates crispy texture and helps the honey garlic sauce stick perfectly

Pat chicken dry first : Moisture is the enemy of crispy coating.

Sauce Perfection

Use real honey: Artificial honey doesn’t caramelize the same way. Real honey creates that gorgeous glossy finish

Use fresh garlic: Garlic in a jar or powdered garlic doesn’t have the same punch. Fresh garlic gives that added extra flavor

Don’t over cook the garlic: Burnt garlic tastes bitter and ruins the whole dish.

 

Honey Garlic Chicken Variations Everyone loves!

 

* Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken : Add 1 -2 tsp of Sriracha to your sauce, it gives the spicy taste.

* Sesame Honey Garlic  Chicken : Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top and add 1 tsp of sesame oil. It gives the nutty flavor to the dish.

* Honey Garlic Chicken with Vegetables : Add bell peppers, broccoli, or  snap peas in the last 3 minutes of cooking. The vegetables absorb the delicious honey garlic sauce and taste incredible.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken

Rice options

• Jasmine Rice – soaks up the sauce
• Brown Rice – adds fiber and nutty flavor
• Cauliflower Rice – Keeps it low carb

Noodle Pairings

This honey garlic chicken is amazing with lo Mein noodles or rice noodles. The sauce coats the noodles perfectly.

Vegetable Sides

• steamed broccoli
• roasted asparagus
• stir fry bok choy
• carrots and bell pepper mix

 

Common Honey Garlic Chicken  Mistakes to Avoid

 

• Using chicken breast without adjusting the cooking time. ( chicken breasts cook faster than thighs)
• Making the sauce too thick. If the sauce gets gummy, add a splash of water.
• Burning the garlic. Keep the heat at medium temperature when making the sauce.
• Skipping the rest time. After cooking is complete, let the chicken rest for 1 -2 minutes. This lets the sauce set and the flavors develop.