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Seared chicken thighs coated in the tastiest sticky sauce, this Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe comes together quickly and easily. Ready in 30 minutes, this recipe uses kitchen staples and tastes just like what you’d get for take-out. It’s the perfect busy weeknight dinner.
If you’re craving take-out then this honey garlic chicken recipe is perfect for you! All you need are a few kitchen staples and 30 minutes and you’ll have this recipe ready for dinner. It’s a restaurant-style recipe that costs a fraction of the price as you don’t have to pay for delivery! Your whole family will love this recipe.
If you’re in the mood for more take-out style chicken recipes, then you’ll have to try my Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry and Kung Pao Chicken. They’re so easy to make and come together faster than driving out to pick up the take-out.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
- It’s so simple. This honey garlic chicken recipe comes together so easily. You just have to sear the chicken then make the sauce. It’s quite straightforward.
- It’s a budget-friendly recipe. This chicken recipe uses a ton of pantry staples so you can save yourself a trip to the store.
- It is super tasty. This recipe is packed with flavor, your family will eat every last bite on their plate.
Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Cornstarch: This helps give the chicken a nice crust when seared.
- Salt & pepper: To taste.
- Fats: I use vegetable oil and unsalted butter to first sear the chicken and then to make the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is ideal for the honey garlic sauce.
- Chicken broth: Try to use low sodium chicken broth when possible.
- Honey: Regular honey is fine for this recipe.
- Soy sauce: Use low sodium soy sauce when possible to avoid overly salty sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Use unseasoned rice vinegar.
- Red chili flakes: This adds a nice bit of heat to the sauce.
- Garnish: Fresh parsley and sesame seeds are great garnishes for this recipe.
How To Make Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
- Coat the chicken thighs: Season the chicken thighs with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet with oil. Add the chicken and sear the chicken to golden on both sides for about 5-6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- Make the honey garlic sauce: To the same skillet add butter, minced garlic, and cook for a minute. Stir in the chicken broth, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red chili flakes, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Coat the chicken in the honey garlic sauce: Transfer the chicken thighs back to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the chicken with chopped parsley and sesame seeds; serve while it is still warm.
Tips To Make Chinese Honey Chicken
- Dry the chicken with a paper towel before seasoning and coating it with cornstarch. This helps it stick better.
- Feel free to double the recipe, simply sear the chicken in batches.
- If you are worried your chicken isn’t fully cooked, check the temperature by using a digital thermometer at the thickest point of the chicken. 165° F is what the FDA considers a safe temperature.
- You are welcome to swap your boneless skinless chicken thighs for boneless chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Cook time will have to be adjusted if you use a different cut of meat.
- You can use skin-on chicken thighs if you’d like. The skin helps keep the chicken moist. Keep in mind that bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will take much longer to cook.
- When searing chicken, sear it smooth side down first.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use an instant-read thermometer if you’re unsure if your chicken thighs are done cooking. The internal temperature of your chicken thighs should be 165ºF once it’s been fully cooked.
Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at a low temperature until cooked through.
Almost any side goes well with this recipe. A mixed veggie side or fresh salad also pairs well with these pan seared chicken thighs. Try my Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots, Cauliflower Rice and Air Fryer Potatoes.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the honey garlic sauce: butter, garlic, chicken broth, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red chili flakes, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
- Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken
- Healthy Orange Chicken
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Baked Chicken Breast with Mushrooms
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 whole boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon salt , or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, to garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with cornstarch, salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet with oil. Add the chicken and sear the chicken to golden on both sides for about 5-6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- To the same skillet add butter, minced garlic and cook for a minute. Stir in the chicken broth, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red chili flakes, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Transfer the chicken thighs back to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish the chicken with chopped parsley and sesame seeds; serve while it is still warm.
Notes
- Dry the chicken with a paper towel before seasoning and coating it with cornstarch. This helps it stick better.
- Feel free to double the recipe, simply sear the chicken in batches.
- If you are worried your chicken isn’t fully cooked, check the temperature by using a digital thermometer at the thickest point of the chicken. 165° F is what the FDA considers a safe temperature.
- You are welcome to swap your boneless skinless chicken thighs for boneless chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Cook time will have to be adjusted if you use a different cut of meat.
- You can use skin-on chicken thighs if you’d like. The skin helps keep the chicken moist. Keep in mind that bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will take much longer to cook.
- When searing chicken, sear it smooth side down first.
The chicken was excellent! It was very moist and you would have thought the chicken had the skin on it as the outside was a little crunchy. My husband wants it on the dinner rotation! I didn’t have as much sauce as what is pictured so next time I will double the ingredients to make extra sauce. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the review.