Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy coating and tangy sauce. The chicken is juicy, the sauce is irresistible, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Better than takeout, healthier, and easier too. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy 30-Minute Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe and Massaman Chicken Curry.
Why This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden chicken with a sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce.
- Ready in just 30 minutes, healthier than takeout.
- Easy, one-pan recipe with simple ingredients.
- Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.
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.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped peanuts
- Optional: Sliced jalapeños
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Honey: Use a high-quality honey for the best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents the chicken from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Add the chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout
- : For extra crispy chicken, pat the chicken dry before adding the cornstarch and seasonings.
- Common mistake and fix: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
- : For a spicy version, add some sliced jalapeños to the skillet when you add the garlic.
- : To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
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: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat in the skillet before adding the chicken.
Freezing Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container 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 (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. The chicken may lose some of its crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make this recipe in the air fryer, cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, then toss in the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: The chicken can be cooked ahead of time and reheated in the skillet with the sauce before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the chicken is not cooking evenly, try cutting it into smaller pieces or pounding it to an even thickness.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality honey — Using a high-quality honey will make a big difference in the flavor of the sauce. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken — Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Green onions (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped peanuts
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Add the chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this recipe in the air fryer, cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, then toss in the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: The chicken can be cooked ahead of time and reheated in the skillet with the sauce before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the chicken is not cooking evenly, try cutting it into smaller pieces or pounding it to an even thickness.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. The chicken may lose some of its crispiness.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat in the skillet before adding the chicken.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
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 make the chicken ahead of time and reheat it in the skillet with the sauce before serving. The chicken can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
The chicken may be dry if it was overcooked or not marinated long enough. To prevent this, make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and use a meat thermometer to ensure it's cooked to 165°F (74°C).
Yes, you can make this recipe in the air fryer. Cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, then toss in the sauce.
This recipe pairs well with steamed rice, noodles, or vegetables. For a fall-inspired meal, try serving it with roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potato.
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
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!
