Crispy Honey Chicken is crispy and sticky, golden-fried chicken pieces covered in a sweet honey glaze. Crispy sweet and savory kick, an irresistible crowd-pleaser!
Its crispy exterior contrasts with the rich, caramelized sauce, making each bite absolutely delicious every time. Served with rice, veggies, or by itself this dish is sure to please the crowd bringing the mouth-watering flavors of a restaurant right to your kitchen!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy & Sticky Perfection – Coated with an irresistible golden-fried crust and sweet honey glaze, the chicken is simply perfect!
- This Easy to Make at Home dish – With simple ingredients and a quick cooking process, you can enjoy restaurant-quality Chinese honey chicken without leaving your kitchen.
- Family-Friendly & Versatile – This is an absolute crowd-pleaser for all ages and makes for a complete meal with rice, noodles, or steamed veggies!
HONEY CHICKEN Recipe
Once I made honey chicken at home for the first time, I remember my life changed completely! I had longtime loved ordering it at my favorite Chinese takeout joint, but I wanted to mimic that ideal contrast of crispy, golden chicken and sticky, sweet honey glaze at home. With some adjustments and taste tests (and some kitchen mess!), I finally cracked it — the crunch, the flavor, the caramelized goodness, in a single bite. Now, this crispy honey chicken recipe is a regular staple in my house, and believe me, once you have it, there’s no going back to takeout!
HOW TO MAKE CRISPY HONEY CHICKEN
- Prepare the Chicken – Dice boneless chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, or favorite spices.
- Make the Coating — In a bowl, mix together flour, additional spices for flavor, and buttermilk to make a light batter.
- Coat the Chicken – Dredge each piece of chicken in the buttermilk mixture, then in seasoned flour to coat fully.
- Fry Until Golden – Pour oil in pan and fry up chicken pieces in batches until skin is crispy and golden brown, draining on paper towel.
- Make the Honey Sauce — In a saucepan, stir together honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and a bit of cornstarch slurry, then bring to a simmer until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Toss the Chicken — Add the crispy chicken to the sauce and toss gently until every piece is coated evenly.
- Garnish & Serve – Top with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and crunch.
- Enjoy! – Serve warm with rice, noodles, or veggies and enjoy every crispy, sweet and savory bite!
Pro Tips
- Cold Buttermilk – Using cold buttermilk will help create a crispy light coating that sticks to the chicken better.
- Double-Coat for More Crunch – For extra ultra-crispy chicken, dunk it in buttermilk, dredge in flour, then repeat that process for a thicker, crunchier coating.
- Fry in Batches — Chicken needs space for the oil to fry it evenly and for crispy skin instead of wet.
- Toss Right Before Serving — For optimal crunch, toss the fried chicken in the honey sauce right before serving, not letting it sit too long.
Serving Suggestions
- Over Steamed Rice — The traditional way to serve! Serve your crispy honey chicken on jasmine or basmati rice that’s steamed just the way you like it, soaking the sweet, savory glaze into those fluffy grains. It can be made with luscious, creamy coconut milk, topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions.
- With Stir-Fried Veggies — Offset the dish’s richness by pairing it with stir-fried veggies, including broccoli, bell peppers, carrots and snap peas. A quick toss in garlic and soy sauce pairs well with the honey chicken.
- In a Wrap or Taco – For a fun twist, pack crispy honey chicken into a soft tortilla or lettuce wrap, and add shredded cabbage, sliced avocado and a drizzle of spicy mayo or sriracha for a fusion meal.
- With Noodles — Stir the chicken with lo mein, chow mein or even ramen for a hearty, restaurant-quality meal. Add sautéed mushrooms, bok choy or edamame for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
If you tried this Crispy Honey Chicken (Crispy!) or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Crispy Honey Chicken (Crispy!)
Crispy Honey Chicken is crispy and sticky, golden-fried chicken pieces covered in a sweet honey glaze. Crispy sweet and savory kick, an irresistible crowd-pleaser!
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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 262kcal
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken:
- 450 g 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup 240ml buttermilk
- 1 cup 125g AP flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika optional, for added flavor
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Honey Sauce:
- ⅓ cup 80ml honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil for an extra depth of flavor, optional
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger optional
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 teaspoons water for thickening the sauce
For Garnish (Optional):
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the Chicken – Dice boneless chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, or favorite spices.
- Make the Coating — In a bowl, mix together flour, additional spices for flavor, and buttermilk to make a light batter.
- Coat the Chicken – Dredge each piece of chicken in the buttermilk mixture, then in seasoned flour to coat fully.
- Fry Until Golden – Pour oil in pan and fry up chicken pieces in batches until skin is crispy and golden brown, draining on paper towel.
- Make the Honey Sauce — In a saucepan, stir together honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and a bit of cornstarch slurry, then bring to a simmer until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Toss the Chicken — Add the crispy chicken to the sauce and toss gently until every piece is coated evenly.
- Garnish & Serve – Top with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and crunch.
- Enjoy! – Serve warm with rice, noodles, or veggies and enjoy every crispy, sweet and savory bite!
NUTRITION
Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 2mg
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Elena Mills says
This crispy honey chicken recipe is exactly what I need in my life right now! I'm always looking for quick meals that don't sacrifice flavor. Your detailed instructions make me feel confident in trying it out myself; here’s to delicious dinners ahead!
Daphne Martinez says
Oh wow, this crispy honey chicken recipe is speaking to my soul! I appreciate that it's a healthier take on takeout. Plus, who doesn’t love a family favorite that leaves no leftovers? This is definitely going on the meal plan!
Kayla Miles says
This dish sounds so comforting and delicious! I'm all about easy recipes that look impressive, and your crispy honey chicken does just that. I'm excited to gather my ingredients and make it soon. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Allison Cooper says
This crispy honey chicken sounds absolutely divine! I love how you can whip it up quickly on a busy weeknight. The combination of sweet and savory is just what my taste buds crave. Definitely adding this to my dinner rotation.
Patricia Howard says
'Better-than-takeout' is music to my ears! This crispy honey chicken seems like the perfect dish for those nights when I'm craving something sweet yet savory. Plus, who could resist a family favorite? Excited to give this a go!
Felicity Parker says
I love a good homemade meal, and this honey chicken looks perfect for any night of the week! The tips for cooking are super helpful too, especially about testing the oil. Can’t wait to try it with some fluffy rice!
Ellen West says
I can't get over how easy this recipe looks! A light and crispy coating paired with that delicious honey soy sauce? Count me in! I can already imagine the smiles on my kids' faces when I serve this up for dinner.
Jasmine Bell says
Wow, this recipe is making me hungry just reading about it! The golden crust sounds so tempting, and I appreciate the tips for avoiding splatter while frying. This will definitely impress everyone at the dinner table; I can't wait to make it!
Carmen Rivera says
*swoon* Honey soy sauce dressing sounds like heaven! Love that you’re keeping it simple for weeknights; we all need more of that in our lives.
Catherine Reed says
This recipe sounds like a perfect way to satisfy those takeout cravings without leaving the house! I appreciate the tips for frying—nothing worse than splattering oil everywhere!
Ivy Russell says
I’m all about those crispy textures! The combination of sweet and savory in the sauce sounds heavenly. Plus, who doesn’t love a dish that keeps the kiddos happy?
Lillian Torres says
"Better-than-takeout" meals are my jam! I'm really curious about how adding vinegar affects the flavor—sounds intriguing! Excited to try this soon!
Destiny Black says
Oh my gosh, this crispy honey chicken looks absolutely drool-worthy! I love how easy it seems to whip up a delicious dinner on a busy weeknight. Can't wait to give this a try!
Brooke Myers says
Crispy honey chicken? Count me in! I’m excited to see how the buttermilk makes everything so tender and flavorful. Definitely need to save this one for my next family dinner!
Charlotte Miller says
Yum! The idea of that honey soy sauce dressing is making my mouth water. Serving it with rice just takes it over the top. This is definitely going on my meal prep list!
Morgan Reed says
The crunch factor is real with this recipe! I love that you’re sharing an easy way to make something so delicious at home. My kids are going to devour this!