Crispy Honey Chicken: The Ultimate Recipe for a Sweet and Savory Delight

Crispy Honey Chicken is a delightful dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors, making it a favorite in many households. As I first tasted this dish at a local Asian restaurant, I was immediately captivated by its golden, crunchy exterior and the luscious honey glaze that enveloped each piece of chicken. This recipe not only brings a taste of Asian cuisine to your kitchen but also carries a rich history, often enjoyed during family gatherings and celebrations.

People love Crispy Honey Chicken for its irresistible texture and mouthwatering taste. The combination of crispy batter and sticky honey sauce creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. Plus, it’s incredibly convenient to prepare, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights or special occasions. Join me as we explore this delicious recipe that is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup cold water
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Chopped green onions (for garnish)

Preparing the Chicken

1. Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. I prefer using thighs for their juiciness, but breasts work just as well. Make sure the pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and baking powder. This will be your dry mixture for coating the chicken.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water until well combined. This will be your wet mixture.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into the wet mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat it in the dry mixture. Make sure each piece is fully covered. Place the coated chicken on a plate and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better during frying.

Frying the Chicken

1. In a large, deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot, pour enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom by about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of batter into it; if it sizzles and bubbles, it’s ready.
2. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to turn the chicken pieces for even cooking.
3. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Repeat the frying process with the remaining chicken pieces.

Making the Honey Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, and grated ginger (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, which should take about 3-5 minutes. You want it to be syrupy but not too thick.
3. Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and set it aside. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage.

Assembling the Dish

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the fried chicken pieces with the honey sauce. Toss gently to ensure each piece is well coated. I like to do this in batches to avoid breaking the crispy coating.
2. Once all the chicken is coated, transfer it to a serving platter. You can garnish it with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a pop of color and flavor.
3. Serve the crispy honey chicken immediately while it’s still hot and crispy. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or a fresh salad.

Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey Chicken

• Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy instead of crispy.
• Don’t overcrowd

  Conclusion:

  In summary, this Crispy Honey Chicken recipe is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their weeknight dinners or impress guests at a gathering. The perfect balance of sweetness and crunch makes it a delightful dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile! You can serve it over a bed of fluffy rice, toss it in a fresh salad, or even wrap it in a warm tortilla for a delicious twist. Feel free to experiment with variations by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the level of sweetness to suit your taste. You could even try swapping out the honey for maple syrup for a unique flavor profile. I encourage you to give this Crispy Honey Chicken a shot and share your experience with friends and family. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Whether you stick to the classic recipe or make it your own, I’m sure you’ll find it to be a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire. Happy cooking! Print

  Crispy Honey Chicken: The Ultimate Recipe for a Sweet and Savory Delight

  

  Print Recipe

  Crispy Honey Chicken features tender, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a flavorful batter and fried until golden. Tossed in a sweet and savory honey sauce, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Enjoy it with steamed rice or a fresh salad for a delightful meal.

  • Author: Bluebella June
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

  Ingredients

  Scale 1x2x3x

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish)

  Instructions

  ### Crispy Honey Chicken Recipe

  **Description:**
  Crispy Honey Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a flavorful batter and fried to golden perfection. Tossed in a sweet and savory honey sauce, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

  —

  **Ingredients:**

  – **For the Chicken:**
  – 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  – 1 cup all-purpose flour
  – 1 teaspoon salt
  – 1 teaspoon black pepper
  – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  – 1 teaspoon onion powder
  – 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  – 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  – 1 large egg
  – 1/2 cup cold water
  – Vegetable oil, for frying

  – **For the Honey Sauce:**
  – 1/2 cup honey
  – 1/4 cup soy sauce
  – 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  – 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  – 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  – 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)

  – **For Garnish:**
  – 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  – Chopped green onions

  —

  **Instructions:**

  **1. Preparing the Chicken:**
  – Cut the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces.
  – In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and baking powder.
  – In another bowl, whisk the egg and cold water until combined.
  – Dip each chicken piece into the wet mixture, then coat it in the dry mixture. Let the coated chicken sit for about 10 minutes.

  **2. Frying the Chicken:**
  – Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
  – Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to turn the chicken.
  – Remove the cooked chicken and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

  **3. Making the Honey Sauce:**
  – In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, and grated ginger (if using). Stir well.
  – Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
  – Remove from heat and set aside.

  **4. Assembling the Dish:**
  – In a large bowl, combine the fried chicken with the honey sauce and toss gently to coat.
  – Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
  – Serve immediately with steamed rice or a fresh salad.

  —

  **Notes:**
  – Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy texture.
  – Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying to maintain the oil temperature.

  —

  **Prep Time:** 20 minutes
  **Cook Time:** 20 minutes
  **Total Time:** 40 minutes
  **Yield:** 4 servings

  Enjoy your delicious Crispy Honey Chicken!

  Notes

  • Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy texture.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying to maintain the oil temperature.