Description
Deliciously crispy chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2/3 cup cold water (adjust as needed)
- Oil for frying
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions
- Optional garnish: toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting your chicken into even, bite-sized pieces. I prefer chicken thighs for their juiciness, but breasts work well if you prefer a leaner option. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels—this helps the batter stick better.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the cold water and mix until the batter is smooth and thick, like pancake batter. If it’s too thick, add a splash more water.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or wok, heat about 1½ to 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat. To test if it’s ready, drop a bit of batter in—it should sizzle and rise to the top immediately.
- Fry the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the batter, then carefully place it into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding. Each batch should take about 5–6 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens to a sticky glaze, about 1–2 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the crispy chicken pieces in the hot honey garlic sauce until well coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- This dish is best served hot for optimal crispiness.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by varying the amount of honey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg