Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

By: CALVIN ROURKE

Published: September 18, 2025

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Why Make This Recipe

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is a delightful dish that combines sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch. It is perfect for dinner or as an appetizer. Making this recipe at home allows you to control the ingredients, resulting in a healthier meal that still tastes amazing. Plus, who doesn’t love crispy chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce?

How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Oil for frying (canola or other neutral oil)
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt or seasoning of choice
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (3 if you like it extra garlicky)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 green onion, sliced

Directions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, whisk egg whites, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Add the chicken pieces and coat them well. Let marinate for 15–20 minutes.

  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, and black pepper. Set aside.

  3. Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches 350°F (175°C), fry the chicken in small batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

  4. Glaze the Chicken: In a clean skillet, pour in the sauce and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add the fried chicken and toss until every piece is coated in the sticky honey garlic glaze.

  5. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve immediately with rice, noodles, or as a standalone appetizer.

How to Serve Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

You can serve this crispy dish with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. It also makes a great appetizer at parties. Just place it on a platter, and enjoy it hot!

How to Store Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for about 2-3 days. Reheat them in the oven or on a skillet to maintain their crispiness.

Tips to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Use high-quality chicken for the best flavor.
  • Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying. This helps the chicken become crispy.
  • For extra crunch, you can double-coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg wash and cornstarch mixture again before frying.
  • Adjust the garlic and honey levels based on your taste preference.

Variation

You can add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli to the dish for added nutrition. Simply stir-fry them with the chicken for a more colorful and healthy meal.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts if you prefer. They will still taste great!

2. How do I make it spicy?
For extra heat, add red pepper flakes or sliced chili peppers to the sauce.

3. Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake the chicken. Coat it in the egg and cornstarch mixture, then place it on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) until crispy, about 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy your cooking!

Print

Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

A delightful dish that combines sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch, perfect for dinner or as an appetizer.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
  • By: Calvin Rourke
  • Category: DINNER
  • Difficulty: Not specified
  • Cuisine: Not specified
  • Yield: 4 Servings
  • Dietary: None

Ingredients

  • 01 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 02 Oil for frying (canola or other neutral oil)
  • 03 2 egg whites
  • 04 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 05 Pinch of salt or seasoning of choice
  • 06 4 tablespoons honey
  • 07 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 08 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 09 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 Toasted sesame seeds
  • 11 1 green onion, sliced

Instructions

Step 01

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg whites, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Add the chicken pieces and coat them well. Let marinate for 15-20 minutes.

Step 02

2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, and black pepper. Set aside.

Step 03

3. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches 350°F (175°C), fry the chicken in small batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 04

4. In a clean skillet, pour in the sauce and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the fried chicken and toss until every piece is coated in the sticky honey garlic glaze.

Step 05

5. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve immediately with rice, noodles, or as a standalone appetizer.