Description
This Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken recipe features tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a flavorful blend of flour, spices, and cornstarch, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a luscious honey-soy sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, it’s a perfect balance of crispy and sweet that’s easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 cups)
For the Honey Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
For Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, ensuring even sizes for uniform cooking. Set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Set Up Breading Station: In one bowl, beat the egg lightly. In another separate plate or shallow dish, pour the cornstarch.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it’s well coated. Then dip into the beaten egg, followed by a thorough coating with cornstarch. Place the coated pieces on a plate, ready for frying.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet or deep frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy to guarantee optimal frying temperature.
- Fry Chicken: Carefully add the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each batch for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken turns golden brown and crispy. Remove the pieces with a slotted spoon.
- Drain Excess Oil: Place the fried chicken on paper towels to absorb any excess oil, ensuring they stay crispy without being greasy.
- Prepare Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and minced garlic. Gently warm the mixture, stirring occasionally, until all ingredients are well blended and heated through.
- Coat Chicken: Transfer all fried chicken pieces into a large bowl. Pour the warm honey sauce over the chicken and toss gently but thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the honey chicken hot, garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions to add aroma and a fresh crunch. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken pieces by frying them once until light golden, draining, then frying again just before serving.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option, but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Adjust the honey amount to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- Make sure the oil temperature stays consistent during frying for the best texture.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce sodium content if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Chinese honey chicken, crispy chicken, honey soy chicken, Asian fried chicken, homemade honey chicken, sweet and crispy chicken
