Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Sizzling Joy

My kitchen adventures with this crispy Chinese honey garlic chicken always spark curious smiles from dinner guests.

Tender chicken pieces coated in a golden, crackling shell that glistens with sweet-savory sauce.

Fragrant garlic and rich honey create an irresistible glaze that clings perfectly to each crisp morsel.

Restaurant-quality flavors emerge from simple ingredients you probably already have waiting in your pantry.

The magic happens when delicate spices mingle with caramelized honey, transforming ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.

Generous drizzles of sauce make every bite a delightful experience that connects comfort with excitement.

You’ll want to gather everyone around the table and watch their faces light up with the first delicious forkful.

Tips For Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Lovers

• Flour Power Trick: Use a mixture of flour and cornstarch for an extra crispy coating that locks in moisture and creates a perfect crunch.
• Oil Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oil heat at 350F to ensure golden, crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil or becoming greasy.
• Sauce Thickening Secret: Add cornstarch slurry gradually to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
• Batch Frying Technique: Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature and ensure each chicken piece gets evenly crispy and golden brown.
• Flavor Boost Hack: Let the chicken rest briefly after frying to help the coating set and stay crisp when coated with the honey garlic sauce.

Best Way To Store Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover crispy honey garlic chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain the best quality and food safety.
• Reheat in Oven: Restore crispiness by spreading chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Microwave Option: When short on time, reheat chicken in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and texture. While convenient, this method might soften the crispy coating.
• Avoid Refreezing: Consume reheated chicken immediately after warming to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal taste and texture.

What Goes Well With Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the rich, sweet-savory chicken, balancing its intense flavors with bright, zesty notes.
• Complement with Asian-Inspired Beer: Opt for a light Japanese lager like Sapporo or Asahi, which refreshes the palate and matches the dish's subtle garlic and honey undertones.
• Serve with Vegetable Stir-Fry Side: Create a quick mix of crisp bell peppers, snap peas, and broccoli to add color, nutrition, and textural contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Add Cooling Cucumber Salad: Prepare a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a light, refreshing counterpoint to the rich, sweet chicken.

Fun Twists For Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

• Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken: Add red chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the honey garlic mixture for a fiery kick that transforms the classic recipe into a bold, zesty meal.
• Crispy Buttermilk Honey Garlic Chicken: Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk overnight before coating, creating an extra tender and tangy version of the original recipe.
• Air Fryer Lighter Version: Replace deep-frying with air frying to reduce oil content while maintaining the signature crispy texture and golden-brown appearance.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy this delicious chicken dish without compromising flavor.

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken FAQ

• What makes this Chinese honey garlic chicken crispy?

The secret is double coating the chicken with a flour and cornstarch mixture, then frying at the right temperature (350F). This creates a golden, crunchy exterior that locks in the chicken’s moisture.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works perfectly. Just ensure you cut it into similar-sized pieces for even cooking and adjust cooking time slightly to prevent drying out.

• Is the honey garlic sauce very sweet?

The sauce balances sweetness from honey with savory soy sauce and tangy rice vinegar. It’s more of a complex flavor profile than just being overly sweet, creating a delicious coating for the crispy chicken.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this recipe?

Not really. You just need a large skillet or wok, a meat thermometer is helpful but optional, and basic kitchen tools like a mixing bowl and saucepan. Most home cooks already have these items.

Why Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Is So Good

• Crunch into Crispy Perfection: The coating creates an irresistibly crunchy exterior that breaks beautifully with each bite, delivering a satisfying texture contrasting with the tender chicken inside.
• Burst with Bold Flavor Fusion: The honey garlic sauce combines sweet, tangy, and savory notes that dance perfectly on your taste buds, offering a complex flavor profile that elevates traditional chicken dishes.
• Master Quick Restaurant-Style Cooking: This recipe transforms home cooking into a gourmet experience, allowing you to create a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques that even beginner cooks can confidently execute.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: The recipe offers flexible serving options, pairing wonderfully with steamed rice, noodles, or vegetables, making it an adaptable dish for family dinners, date nights, or casual gatherings with friends.

What’s In Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that becomes crispy and flavorful when coated and fried, choose boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts for best results.

• Flour, Cornstarch: Create a light, crispy exterior that helps seal in chicken's moisture, all-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Add depth and seasoning to the coating, use freshly ground black pepper for more intense flavor.

• Eggs: Help the dry coating stick to the chicken, ensure eggs are fresh and at room temperature.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides high-heat medium for achieving golden crispy chicken, use neutral-flavored oil with high smoke point.

• Honey, Soy Sauce: Create sweet and savory base for the sauce, choose pure honey and low-sodium soy sauce if preferred.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to balance sweetness, unseasoned rice vinegar works best.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty undertone to the sauce, use toasted sesame oil for more intense flavor.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic punch to the sauce, fresh minced garlic recommended.

• Cornstarch: Creates glossy, smooth sauce texture, mix with water to form slurry before adding to sauce.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Add visual appeal and fresh flavor contrast, use toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch.

How To Cook Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Golden Chicken Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl. Dunk each chicken piece into the eggs, then roll thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. Tap off any extra coating to ensure a light, crispy finish.

Step 2: Sizzle and Fry

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok until it reaches a simmering 350°F. This temperature ensures a perfect golden crunch. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Fry each batch until the exterior turns a beautiful amber-brown and the inside is fully cooked. Use tongs to transfer crispy pieces onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Create Magical Honey Garlic Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Whisk in a cornstarch slurry to help the sauce thicken and become glossy. Cook until the sauce reaches a smooth, clingy consistency.

Step 4: Coat and Toss

Pour the warm honey garlic sauce over the freshly fried chicken in a large mixing bowl. Use a spatula to gently toss, ensuring each piece gets a luxurious, even coating of the sweet and savory sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the saucy chicken to a beautiful serving platter. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve immediately alongside steamed jasmine rice or soft noodles and your favorite crisp vegetables.

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy Chinese honey garlic chicken delivers intense flavor and irresistible texture from Chinese street food traditions. Crunchy golden bites glazed with sweet-savory sauce bring restaurant-quality comfort directly to home kitchens that you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (65 g) cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Sauce Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 ml) honey
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Create a seasoned coating by blending flour, cornstarch, and aromatic spices in a shallow container. Thoroughly dredge each chicken piece through beaten eggs, then meticulously dust with the seasoned powder, ensuring an even, light distribution.
2. Prepare a deep skillet with vegetable oil, heating to an optimal temperature around 350F. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain consistent heat and prevent overcrowding.
3. Fry chicken segments until they achieve a rich golden-brown exterior and reach complete internal doneness, approximately 45 minutes per batch. Remove pieces and allow excess oil to drain on absorbent paper towels.
4. Craft a luxurious sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and finely minced garlic in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring periodically to develop complex flavors.
5. Enhance sauce consistency by incorporating a cornstarch slurry, cooking until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thick glaze that clings beautifully to the crispy chicken.
6. Transfer golden-fried chicken into a spacious mixing bowl, then generously drench with the aromatic honey garlic sauce. Gently tumble the pieces to ensure comprehensive and uniform coating.
7. Plate the glazed chicken, scattering toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions as a vibrant garnish. Accompany with steamed rice or tender noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Select chicken thighs or breast meat depending on your preferred texture and juiciness, with boneless cuts working best for even cooking and crispy coating.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading from excess moisture.
• Use a thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature around 350F, preventing burning or undercooking when frying chicken in batches.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or almond flour for equally crunchy exterior.
• Control sauce thickness by adjusting cornstarch slurry – add more for thicker coating or less for lighter glaze on chicken.
• Prep sauce ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and prevent potential burning while multitasking.
• Consider baking chicken instead of deep-frying for healthier alternative, using wire rack to maintain crispiness and reduce oil absorption.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 80 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg