Description
This Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs coated in a crunchy cornstarch crust and baked to golden perfection. Tossed in a luscious homemade honey garlic glaze infused with soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of hoisin, this flavorful dish is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, it’s an irresistible meal perfect for serving over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, setting them aside ready for coating.
- Mix Dry Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, and pepper to create the dry mixture for crisp coating.
- Make Egg Wash: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and water thoroughly to form an egg wash for better coating adhesion.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the cornstarch mixture, then the egg wash, and once more back into the cornstarch mixture to ensure a crispy crust.
- Bake Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until they turn crispy and golden brown.
- Prepare Sauce: Meanwhile, in a saucepan combine the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to create the honey garlic glaze.
- Cook Sauce: Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it thickens to a glaze-like consistency, perfect for coating the chicken.
- Toss Chicken with Sauce: Transfer the baked crispy chicken into a large bowl, then pour the honey garlic sauce over it and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the dish generously with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve: Serve the crispy Chinese honey garlic chicken hot over steamed rice or your favorite noodles and enjoy this homemade flavorful delight.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add a teaspoon of chili sauce or red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce.
- Use chicken thighs over breasts for juicier, more flavorful meat that holds up well to baking.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.