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- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup cornstarch - 1/3 cup honey - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder - 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - 2 green onions, sliced - Sesame seeds Using these ingredients, you will create a sweet and spicy dish. The boneless chicken thighs give a juicy bite. The flour and cornstarch create a crispy coating. Honey adds sweetness, while soy sauce brings a savory depth. The spices and flavors round out the dish. Salt and black pepper enhance the taste. Garlic and ginger powder add warmth. Sesame oil contributes a nutty aroma. Rice vinegar gives a slight tang. If you like heat, crushed red pepper flakes will spice it up. Garnishing with green onions and sesame seeds makes your dish pop. These add color and texture. You can play with these ingredients based on your taste. Enjoy the process of making this delicious meal! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, mix the dry ingredients. In a bowl, combine: - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup cornstarch - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder - 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder Stir them well until they blend. Now, take your chicken. Cut 1 lb of boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Toss the chicken in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is coated. Shake off the extra flour. This step keeps the chicken crispy. Next, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Set the heat to medium-high. Fry the chicken in batches. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per batch. The chicken should turn golden brown and be cooked through. When done, place the chicken on paper towels to drain excess oil. For the sauce, grab a separate saucepan. Combine these ingredients: - 1/3 cup honey - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium) - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Stir these ingredients over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they blend well. The sauce should get slightly thick. Be careful not to let it boil too much. Now, add the fried chicken to the sauce. Toss the chicken well until each piece is coated. This step makes every bite flavorful. Remove the pan from heat. For serving, use a colorful platter. Place the honey chicken on it. Add steamed broccoli or jasmine rice for color and balance. Finally, sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a pretty finish. Enjoy your meal! To fry chicken well, heat your oil to about 350°F (175°C). This helps the chicken cook fast and get crispy. If the oil is too cool, the chicken can soak up too much oil and become soggy. Fry in small batches. This keeps the oil hot and helps each piece cook evenly. To avoid soggy chicken, shake off any extra flour before frying. This keeps the batter light. Also, let the chicken rest on paper towels after frying. This will soak up any extra oil. For the sauce, you want a nice balance. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water or more soy sauce. If it’s too thin, let it cook a bit longer. This helps it thicken and stick to the chicken. You can change the sauce to match your taste. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. If you want heat, add extra crushed red pepper flakes. Taste it as you go to get it just right. Serve your honey chicken on a bright platter. Add steamed broccoli or jasmine rice on the side for color. This makes your dish more appealing. Use garnishes like sliced green onions and sesame seeds. They add flavor and look great. A little extra effort on presentation makes the meal feel special. Pro Tips Marinate for Extra Flavor: For more depth of flavor, marinate the chicken in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes for at least 30 minutes before frying. Use a Thermometer: Ensure the chicken is cooked through by using a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part. Adjust the Spice Level: Customize the heat by adjusting the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or adding a dash of sriracha to the sauce. Crispier Chicken: For extra crispy chicken, double fry the pieces: fry them once until golden, let them rest, then fry again for another minute or two before adding to the sauce. {{image_2}} You can switch chicken for tofu or shrimp. Tofu gives a nice texture. Use firm tofu for the best results. Cut it into bite-sized pieces like the chicken. Shrimp cooks faster than chicken. You need to sauté shrimp for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink. For tofu, fry it until golden brown, similar to chicken. Adjust your cooking times based on what you choose. Adding vegetables or fruits can boost the dish. You might try broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas. These add color and crunch. Pineapple chunks add a sweet twist. You can mix these in while cooking the chicken to soften them. Unique sauces can also enhance flavor. Try teriyaki or orange sauce for a fun twist. These sauces mix well with the honey sauce. For gluten-free options, use gluten-free soy sauce. Many brands offer this. You can also skip the all-purpose flour and use rice flour instead. For vegan alternatives, replace chicken with tofu. Use maple syrup instead of honey for sweetness. This keeps the dish plant-based while still delicious. Always check labels to ensure all ingredients are truly vegan and gluten-free. To store leftovers, place honey chicken in an airtight container. Make sure the chicken is cool before sealing. This keeps it fresh and ready for later. In the fridge, the dish lasts about 3 to 4 days. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. Freezing honey chicken is easy. First, let the dish cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. This helps prevent freezer burn. Honey chicken can last up to 3 months in the freezer. For thawing, place it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a skillet over low heat for the best texture. You can also use the microwave, but the skillet gives a nice crisp. Meal prep makes busy days easier. Cook a double batch of honey chicken on the weekend. Divide it into portions for quick meals. Store these in individual containers. This way, you can grab a meal anytime. Pair with rice or veggies for a complete dish. If you want to reduce the spice, skip the crushed red pepper flakes. You can also use a small amount of sugar to balance the heat. Another option is to add more honey. This will make the dish sweeter and less spicy. Yes, you can use chicken breasts. They are leaner than thighs, which means they can dry out faster. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender. If you use breasts, watch them closely while cooking. Great sides include steamed broccoli, jasmine rice, or fried rice. You can also serve it with a fresh salad or egg rolls. These sides add nice color and texture to your meal. This blog post covered how to make Chinese Honey Chicken, from the main ingredients to storage tips. You learned about selecting chicken and the right spices, as well as frying techniques to achieve crispy perfection. We explored garnishes and serving ideas, plus variations for different tastes and diets. Remember, cooking is about experimenting. Feel free to adjust flavors and try new ingredients. Enjoy making this flavorful dish for yourself or your loved ones!

Sweet & Spicy Chinese Honey Chicken

A delicious blend of sweet and spicy flavors with crispy chicken coated in a honey sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 2 pieces green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • to taste none sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Mix well.
  • Toss the chicken pieces in the flour mixture until evenly coated. Shake off excess flour.
  • In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat for frying.
  • Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
  • In a separate saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
  • Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss well until all pieces are coated.
  • Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

Serve the honey chicken on a colorful platter with steamed broccoli or jasmine rice on the side for a pop of color. Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds and green onions for an appealing finish.
Keyword chicken, Chinese cuisine, honey, spicy