Description

Sticky Honey Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked to golden perfection and coated in a luscious honey-soy glaze. This quick skillet recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with a hint of tanginess from vinegar and the aromatic touch of garlic and ginger. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added texture and freshness, it’s a crowd-pleasing main course ideal for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

500 g (1 lb) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water

Garnish

Toasted sesame seeds
Sliced green onions

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, ensuring an even coating to help achieve a crispy texture when cooked.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), sesame oil if using, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. Stir the mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer.
Thicken the Sauce: Add the cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) to the simmering sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss well to ensure every piece is coated with the sticky honey glaze. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Garnish and Serve: Transfer the sticky honey chicken to a serving dish and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

You can use either chicken thighs or breasts; thighs offer more juiciness while breasts are leaner.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Adjust the amount of honey to control the sweetness to your preference.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add red chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
The optional sesame oil adds a rich nutty aroma but can be omitted if unavailable.
Serve this dish over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.