Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – The best homemade version that’s better than takeout! After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy coating and the sweet, savory sauce. The trick I discovered is to use cornstarch for extra crispiness. This chicken is golden, crispy, and irresistible. It’s perfect for a quick dinner and pairs well with French Onion Chicken Rice Bake. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy French Onion Chicken Rice Bake and Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe.

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.

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Green onions, chopped
• Optional: Sesame seeds

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken pieces evenly in the mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

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 for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Reheat and add chicken when ready to serve.

Freezing Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout

Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in a pan.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For best results, use chicken that's not too thick or thin.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
• Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the pan, it's too hot. Reduce heat and add a little more oil.

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

35 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

Seasonings

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken pieces evenly in the mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Chef tip: For best results, use chicken that's not too thick or thin.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
• Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the pan, it's too hot. Reduce heat and add a little more oil.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in a pan.
• Make ahead: You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Reheat and add chicken when ready to serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• 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

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!