Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

This easy honey garlic chicken is perfect when you want something flavorful without spending all evening in the kitchen. The chicken is coated in a lightly seasoned flour mixture, pan-fried until golden and crispy, then tossed in a glossy honey garlic sauce.

Serve it over steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite vegetables for an easy weeknight dinner.

Why You'll Love This Chicken

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Crispy outside and juicy inside
• Sweet, savory and garlicky
• Uses simple ingredients
• Great for busy weeknights
• Pairs perfectly with rice or vegetables

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

For Garnishing

• Chopped parsley or green onions
• Sesame seeds, optional

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken

 

2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

Whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, water and cornstarch in a small bowl.
Add red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
Set the sauce aside.

3. Cook the Chicken

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the chicken into the skillet in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on the size of the pieces, until golden brown and cooked through.

4. Add the Sauce

5. Garnish and Serve

What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken

This chicken works especially well with:

• Steamed white rice
• Fried rice
• Noodles
• Steamed broccoli
• Green beans
• Roasted vegetables
• Cucumber salad

How to Make It Extra Crispy

Pat the chicken dry.
Removing excess moisture helps the coating become crisp and golden.

Don't overcrowd the skillet.
Too many pieces at once can cause the chicken to steam instead of brown.

Wait until the end to add the sauce.
The crispy coating stays better when it isn't sitting in the sauce for a long time.

Serve immediately.
Honey garlic chicken has the best texture right after cooking.

Easy Variations

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken

Add additional red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce to the glaze.

Sesame Honey Garlic Chicken

Add sesame seeds and a small drizzle of sesame oil before serving.

Honey Garlic Chicken With Vegetables

Add broccoli, bell peppers or snap peas to make this a complete one-pan meal.

Extra Garlic Chicken

For serious garlic lovers, add another 1–2 cloves of minced garlic to the sauce.

🛒 Kitchen Tools That Make This Recipe Easier

You don't need fancy equipment for this recipe, but a few basic kitchen tools can make cooking easier.

Large nonstick skillet:
A good skillet helps the chicken brown evenly without sticking.

Sharp chef's knife:
Useful for quickly cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces.

Digital kitchen thermometer:
Useful for checking that chicken has reached a safe internal temperature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast?

Yes. Chicken breast works well, but avoid overcooking it because it can become dry.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are especially juicy and flavorful.

Can I make this without flour?

Yes, although the texture will be different. Cornstarch can also be used to create a lighter crispy coating.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

The chicken and sauce can be prepared separately ahead of time. For the crispiest result, combine them shortly before serving.

How long do leftovers last?

⭐ Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Card

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
• Red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry.
2. Combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder.
3. Coat the chicken evenly in the flour mixture.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Cook chicken for approximately 3–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
6. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, water and cornstarch.
7. Reduce heat and pour the sauce over the chicken.
8. Toss for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
9. Garnish with parsley, green onions or sesame seeds.
10. Serve immediately with rice, noodles or vegetables.

Save This Recipe

If you love crispy chicken with a sweet and savory glaze, save this recipe for your next weeknight dinner.

Don't forget to pin it on Pinterest so you can easily find it later.