Description
Make this easy Honey Garlic Chicken in just 25 minutes! Juicy chicken coated in a sweet, savory garlic sauce—perfect for rice, noodles, or veggies. A quick, flavorful meal that’s better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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¼ cup cornstarch (for coating)
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
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¼ cup honey
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3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon ginger, grated
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry for thickening)
For Garnish (Optional):
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Sesame seeds
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Sliced green onions
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
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In a bowl, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
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Toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch to coat evenly.
2. Cook the Chicken
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Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
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Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
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Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
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Reduce heat to medium and add garlic and ginger to the same pan. Sauté for 30 seconds.
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Stir in honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
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Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens.
4. Combine and Serve
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Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce.
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Let simmer for another 1-2 minutes.
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Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
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Different Protein: Swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or pork.
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Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
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Extra Crunch: Coat chicken in panko breadcrumbs before frying.
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Spicy: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha.
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Vegetarian Alternative: Use cauliflower or mushrooms instead of chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, Asian chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, homemade takeout