Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet, sticky, garlicky, and incredibly easy to make, this Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect dinner for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a rich homemade honey garlic sauce and finished with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve it with steamed rice, noodles, or vegetables for a delicious family meal.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken
- Ready in about 35 minutes
- Sweet, savory, and slightly spicy
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect with rice or noodles
- Great for an easy lunch or dinner
- A family-friendly recipe that everyone will love
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 500g chicken breast, boneless and cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 6–7 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken
1. Prepare the Chicken
Add the cubed chicken to a large bowl. Add soy sauce, vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, and cornstarch.
Mix well until every piece of chicken is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for 15–20 minutes.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook until golden brown on the outside and completely cooked through, turning occasionally so all sides become nicely browned.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Prepare the Garlic
Using the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Add the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, red chili flakes, and water.
Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
5. Thicken the Sauce
Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
Slowly pour the slurry into the sauce while stirring continuously. Cook for another minute or two, until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thick.
6. Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
Toss the chicken with the sauce until every piece is generously coated. Let it cook for another 1–2 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors.
Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Serve immediately with steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables.
What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken
This chicken pairs especially well with:
- Steamed white rice
- Fried rice
- Hakka noodles
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Broccoli
- Chow mein
- Steamed jasmine rice
Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken
Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce a much stronger and better flavor than pre-minced garlic.
Don’t overcook the chicken: Cook the chicken just until it reaches the appropriate doneness so it stays tender and juicy.
Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, slightly reduce the amount of honey.
Add some heat: Red chili flakes are optional, but they add a delicious little kick that balances the sweetness.
Serve immediately: The sauce is at its best when the chicken is freshly coated and served hot.
Storage
Store leftover Honey Garlic Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.