The Best Sticky Honey Chicken Recipe for Family Dinners

Sweet and sticky honey chicken brings a burst of flavor that dances across your palate like a culinary symphony.

Succulent pieces of tender meat glisten with a golden, glossy coating that promises pure deliciousness.

Every bite tells a story of comfort and excitement, blending familiar ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners often need a spark of magic, and this recipe delivers exactly that unexpected joy.

Home cooks can easily master this dish with simple techniques and readily available ingredients.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction, making this honey chicken a go-to meal you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.

Let’s transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

• What is the purpose of the cornstarch slurry in this recipe?

The cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy, sticky texture that clings perfectly to the chicken pieces.

• Can I use different types of vinegar for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute white vinegar with rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for slightly different flavor profiles while maintaining the recipe’s overall taste.

• How spicy is this honey chicken recipe?

The red pepper flakes provide a mild heat that can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount used, allowing you to control the spice level to your preference.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! The honey chicken reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it an excellent option for preparing meals in advance.

Sticky Honey Chicken: Sweet Heat You’ll Devour

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: This sticky honey chicken recipe delivers mouthwatering flavors with minimal effort.
• Speed-Demon Cooking: The entire dish comes together in just 15-20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is precious.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Kids and adults alike will love the sweet-and-savory combination that's not too spicy but packed with delicious taste.
• Versatile Meal Magic: Easy to customize with different vegetable sides or serve over rice, making it a flexible option for various dining preferences.

Sicky Honey Chicken Ingredient Guide

• Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts: Tender protein base for the dish, boneless and skinless cuts provide best texture, chicken can be cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

• Honey, Soy Sauce: Sweet and salty flavor foundation, use pure honey for best taste, choose low-sodium soy sauce if preferred.
• Ketchup: Adds tangy depth and rich color to the sauce, helps create glossy coating.
• Apple Cider Vinegar, Rice Vinegar: Provides balanced acidity and brightness, helps tenderize meat.

• Garlic, Ginger: Fresh aromatics that add incredible depth and warmth, minced or grated for maximum flavor release.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat booster, adjust to personal spice tolerance.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates slurry to thicken sauce, ensures glossy and clingy sauce texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps with even cooking and preventing sticking.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Final touch for visual appeal and fresh flavor boost, sprinkle just before serving.

What to Do for Sicky Honey Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Explosion

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Stir everything together until well blended and set the sauce aside to let the flavors mingle and dance.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat a pan with oil over medium heat.

Carefully add chicken pieces and cook them until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and are completely cooked through.

This should take about 5-7 minutes, ensuring each piece is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Step 3: Coat with Liquid Gold

Pour the prepared honey sauce over the sizzling chicken.

Use a spatula to gently stir and coat every single piece, making sure no chicken is left behind in the flavor party.

Step 4: Create the Magic Thickening Potion

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a silky smooth slurry.

Pour this mixture into the pan and stir thoroughly.

Watch as the sauce transforms and thickens into a glossy, clingy coating over the next 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Final Flavor Flourish

Remove the pan from heat.

Sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions over the chicken for a pop of color and extra taste sensation.

Step 6: Serve and Devour

Plate up your culinary masterpiece alongside fluffy rice or steamed vegetables.

Get ready to dive into a dish that’ll make taste buds dance with joy!

Sticky Honey Chicken Made Easy With Step-by-Step Help

• Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy sauce consistency.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat intensity, making the dish mild or spicy based on personal preference.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and lock in juicy tenderness.
• Use fresh garlic and ginger for enhanced aromatic flavors that elevate the overall taste of the honey chicken.
• Marinate chicken in sauce beforehand to infuse deeper flavors and reduce cooking time when preparing the dish.

Store Honey Chicken Sticky And Tender

• Store leftover Sticky Honey Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly, about 4-5 minutes.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.
• Consume reheated chicken within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture. Discard if it smells unusual or looks discolored.

What Goes with Sicky Honey Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the honey's sweetness and balances the spicy red pepper flakes.
• Enhance with Jasmine Rice: Serve steamed jasmine rice alongside the chicken to absorb the sticky sauce and provide a mild, fragrant base for the bold flavors.
• Refresh with Asian Slaw: Create a crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw with rice vinegar dressing to cut through the richness of the honey chicken and add textural contrast.
• Complement with Green Tea: Brew a light, unsweetened green tea that helps cleanse the palate and provides a subtle, earthy counterpoint to the sweet and tangy chicken.

Sticky Honey Chicken with Sweet and Savory Flavors

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish gluten-free and safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Lover's Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce for extra heat and a bold flavor kick.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the delicious honey chicken taste.
• Vegetarian Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using the same marinade and cooking method for a plant-based protein option.

Sicky Honey Chiken Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sticky honey chicken brings together sweet and savory flavors in a mouthwatering Asian-inspired dish that dances on your palate. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with golden honey sauce promise a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Thickening and Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic marinade.
2. Warm cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring even distribution across the surface.
3. Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot skillet, allowing them to sear and develop a golden-brown exterior while cooking thoroughly, approximately 6-8 minutes.
4. Gently cascade the prepared honey sauce over the chicken, using tongs to rotate and thoroughly coat each piece, ensuring complete flavor absorption.
5. Create a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water until smooth, then pour into the skillet while continuously stirring to prevent lumps.
6. Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce, thickening to a glossy consistency that clings perfectly to the chicken, which typically takes 2-4 minutes.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions across the surface for a fresh, crunchy garnish.
8. Transfer the sticky honey chicken to a serving platter alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables for a complete, delectable meal.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice-sensitive palates.
• Create a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
• Marinate chicken beforehand for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat.
• Prevent sauce burning by stirring continuously and maintaining medium-low heat during final coating stage.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 413
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 726 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 93 mg