Description

Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish coated in a shiny, sticky glaze made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep, it pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or vegetables and can be tailored with spice or herb variations.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Sauce

1/4 cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)

Cooking Oil

1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil

Optional

1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional for heat)
Sesame seeds for garnish
Fresh chopped green onions or cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely mince fresh garlic and gather your sauces. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces if preferred.
Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden on both sides, about 5-7 minutes, ensuring it is cooked through but still juicy. Set aside on a plate.
Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and in the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not burnt, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and vinegar, mixing well. Let the mixture simmer gently to blend flavors.
Thicken the Sauce: Combine cornstarch with water until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to a sticky consistency.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Allow it to cook in the sauce for 1-2 minutes so the glaze adheres and flavors saturate the chicken.
Final Touches: Add optional chili flakes or sprinkle sesame seeds and fresh herbs for extra flavor and texture. Serve immediately for the best taste and sticky texture.

Notes

Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper browning.
Sauté garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
Adjust honey or soy sauce to customize the sweetness or saltiness.
Let chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 290 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg