Name: Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1 -2 inch/2.5-5 cm); Oil, enough to fill skillet 1 inch/2.5 cm (use Canola oil or other vegetable oil); 2 egg whites; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; Pinch of salt or other seasonings; 4 tablespoons honey; 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 3 if preferred); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste); Toasted sesame seeds; 1 green onion, sliced

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If you’re searching for the kind of dish that gets everyone rushing to the dinner table, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite: Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken. Imagine tender bites of juicy chicken in an addictively crisp coating, all tossed in a glossy, sweet, and garlicky sauce that’s just the right amount of sticky and savory. Each bite is a celebration of textures and flavors, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser no matter the occasion.

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is surprisingly simple, but every ingredient plays a vital role in building flavor, texture, and that irresistible golden color. Here’s what you need, along with a few tips for the best results.

Chicken thighs or breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness, or chicken breasts for a leaner option—they both crisp up beautifully!
Canola or vegetable oil: You’ll want enough to fill your skillet with about 1 inch of oil; these oils ensure a neutral flavor and perfect frying temperature.
Egg whites: Lightly whisked egg whites make the chicken’s coating puff up extra crispy and provide a delicate crunch.
Cornstarch: Essential for that signature shatteringly crisp crust—don’t skip it!
Salt or seasonings: Just a pinch in the marinade makes all the difference; feel free to experiment with garlic powder, white pepper, or even a hint of five-spice for a twist.
Honey: The star of the sauce, it brings sweetness and makes the glaze beautifully sticky.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds bold flavor that complements the sweetness of the honey (use extra if you really love garlic).
Soy sauce: Delivers depth and saltiness, balancing out the sweet and savory notes.
Freshly ground black pepper: Provides just enough gentle heat to keep things interesting.
Toasted sesame seeds (optional): A sprinkle on top gives each bite a subtle nuttiness and a little crunch.
Green onion (optional): Sliced thinly, it adds a pop of color and a fresh, oniony finish.

How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start your Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken adventure by whisking together egg whites, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. The mixture may look foamy and odd, but don’t worry—that’s exactly what you want. Toss in your bite-sized chicken pieces and let them marinate for 10 to 15 minutes. This step is the secret to achieving that feather-light, ultra-crispy crust once you fry them up.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

While the chicken is soaking up flavor, pour the oil into a deep skillet or wok until it’s about an inch deep. Heat it to 350 to 360°F for perfect frying. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a bit of the marinade into the oil—it should sizzle vigorously and float right up, hinting that you’re ready to go. This temperature will give your chicken the signature crackle without burning it.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

Now it’s time to transform those marinated chicken pieces into absolute crunchy magic! Fry the chicken in small batches to avoid crowding the pan (crowding can bring down the temperature and ruin that coveted crispness). Each batch will take about 3-4 minutes until the pieces turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined rack. Pro tip: keep your cooked batches warm in a low oven while you finish frying the rest.

Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a small saucepan, mix together your honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and black pepper. Bring this combination to a gentle boil, stirring all the while to prevent scorching the honey. After a couple of minutes, the sauce should thicken just enough to coat the back of a spoon; if it gets too thick, add a splash of water. The moment when you toss your freshly fried chicken into this bubbling, aromatic sauce is pure kitchen bliss!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finally, pile your sticky, shiny chicken onto a platter. If you fancy, sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onion for both looks and crunch. It’s this final touch that elevates Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken from weeknight treat to dinner-party star—all in just a few seconds.

How to Serve Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken

Garnishes

For a truly restaurant-style finish at home, don’t skip the garnishes. A scatter of toasted sesame seeds adds a pastry-like crunch, while a flurry of vibrant green onions provides a fresh counterpoint to the rich glaze. They may seem like finishing touches, but these little details level up every single bite of your Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken.

Side Dishes

This dish absolutely shines with fluffy steamed rice, which soaks up every bit of that sticky honey garlic sauce. For a fresh contrast, pair it with stir-fried vegetables—think broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy. If you want to lean into the comfort food angle, you could also serve it with fried rice or even crispy spring rolls for a complete Chinese takeout-inspired feast at home.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken at a casual gathering or party, try threading the crispy chicken onto bamboo skewers for bite-sized appetizers. You can also plate it on a bed of lettuce for a modern, colorful look, or even wrap pieces in lettuce leaves for a fun, interactive meal the kids can build themselves!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken (although that’s a big “if”), transfer the leftovers to an airtight container once completely cooled. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days—the coating may lose some crispness, but the flavors get even deeper and more delicious.

Freezing

For longer storage, let the chicken cool and freeze on a lined tray, so the pieces don’t stick together. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and keep for up to one month. I recommend freezing the chicken without sauce and adding fresh sauce after reheating for the very best texture.

Reheating

To reclaim as much crispiness as possible, reheat the chicken in a hot oven (around 375°F) for 10-12 minutes, spreading the pieces on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. If you froze the chicken unsauced, warm a fresh batch of honey garlic sauce while the chicken heats up, then toss together just before serving—it will taste almost freshly made!

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works perfectly and is a bit leaner, but keep an eye on the frying time because breast pieces can dry out more quickly. Both cuts give you beautifully crispy, tender results.

What’s the best way to keep the chicken crispy after saucing?

If you want to preserve maximum crunch, toss the fried chicken with the sauce right before serving, rather than letting it sit. You can also serve the sauce on the side for dipping if you’re a true crispiness purist!

Can I make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken gluten free?

Yes you can! Just make sure to use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce, and double-check that your cornstarch and other ingredients are certified gluten free.

How spicy is this dish?

This version of Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is all about sweet and savory, with just a hint of peppery spice from the black pepper. If you like heat, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce or serve with sliced fresh chilies.

Can I air fry instead of deep frying?

Yes, you can get great results with an air fryer—just arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer and spritz lightly with oil. Fry at 400°F, turning once, until crispy and golden. The texture won’t be identical to deep-fried, but it’s a lighter, still-delicious alternative!

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend trying Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken enough—it’s a dish that never fails to deliver pure comfort and restaurant-level wow-factor right at home. Once you taste that perfect balance of crispy, sticky, sweet, and savory, you’ll want to make it again and again for all your favorite people. Give it a try and let your kitchen fill with the happy sounds of crunching!

Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 24 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, with tender chicken coated in a crunchy coating and tossed in a sticky honey garlic sauce.

Instructions

Marinate the chicken: Whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Add chicken, marinate for 10-15 minutes.
Heat the oil: Heat oil in a skillet or wok to 350-360°F.
Fry the chicken: Fry chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Make the sauce: In a pot, combine honey, garlic, soy sauce, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened. Toss chicken in the sauce.
Garnish and serve: Transfer chicken to a plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

For the marinade, you can add additional seasonings like ginger or Chinese five-spice powder for extra flavor.
Adjust the amount of garlic and black pepper in the sauce to suit your taste preferences.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Chinese