Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – The best honey garlic chicken recipe that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy coating and the sweet, tangy sauce. The trick I discovered is to use cornstarch for a crispy coating and a combination of honey and soy sauce for the perfect flavor. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Best Recipe For Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls and Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls.
Why This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible crispy texture
- Sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce
- Better than takeout taste
- Easy to make at home
What You'll Need for Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
- Optional: chopped peanuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
- cornstarch: Cornstarch is essential for a crispy coating.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking chicken quickly and evenly. → See on Amazon
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sauce thickens. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and serve over rice. Enjoy your crispy honey garlic chicken!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken. Cook in batches if necessary to maintain a crispy texture.
- Substitution: For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking for even more flavor.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Freezing Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of water to the skillet to prevent the sauce from drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness for more even cooking.
- Best substitution: For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking for even more flavor.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Digital Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- green onions
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds
- chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sauce thickens. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and serve over rice. Enjoy your crispy honey garlic chicken!
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness for more even cooking.
- Best substitution: For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking for even more flavor.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of water to the skillet to prevent the sauce from drying out.
- Make ahead: You can marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can marinate the chicken in the honey garlic sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking. However, it's best to cook the chicken just before serving for the crispiest texture.
Overcooking the chicken can cause it to become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) but is not overcooked.
Yes, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. Then, proceed with the sauce as directed in the recipe.
For a honey substitute, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar. However, the flavor will be slightly different.
Yes, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and crispy. Then, proceed with the sauce as directed in the recipe.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
