Description
Succulent 30-minute honey garlic chicken promises a delightful culinary journey with its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Crispy, golden-brown chicken glazed in a rich honey garlic sauce will satisfy your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce Components:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cutting it into uniform, bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly and absorb the sauce effectively.
- Season the chicken portions with a delicate blend of salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
- Dust the seasoned chicken with cornstarch, creating a light, protective layer that will transform into a delightfully crisp exterior during cooking.
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, adding a generous splash of oil to prevent sticking and promote golden browning.
- Carefully place the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich, caramelized crust for approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Verify the chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking for a golden-brown color and ensuring no pink remains in the center.
- Transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and ready for the next stage.
- In the same skillet, add a touch more oil and quickly sauté minced garlic until its aromatic essence permeates the pan.
- Rapidly whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water, creating a glossy, harmonious sauce.
- Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce, watching it transform into a slightly thickened, lustrous coating.
- Gently reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, carefully turning each piece to ensure complete sauce coverage.
- Let the chicken and sauce meld together for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to intensify and the sauce to cling tantalizingly to each morsel.
- Finish the dish with a delicate drizzle of sesame oil for depth and complexity.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds for visual appeal and added texture.
- Serve immediately atop a bed of steamed rice, tender noodles, or vibrant vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Achieve golden-brown chicken by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding the pieces, preventing soggy results and creating a perfect crispy exterior.
- Optimize cornstarch coating by patting chicken dry before seasoning, allowing for maximum crispiness and better sauce adherence.
- Prevent sauce from burning by adjusting heat to medium-low when simmering, stirring occasionally to maintain smooth consistency and prevent sticking.
- Customize the dish for dietary needs by using gluten-free soy sauce, honey alternatives for low-sugar diets, or swapping chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg