Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and delicious dish featuring tender, bite-sized chicken pieces cooked to golden perfection and coated in a glossy, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the 1 1/2 pounds of chopped boneless, skinless chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season all over with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, and 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until well combined.
- Brown First Batch of Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook without moving until golden-brown on the bottom and the chicken easily releases from the pan, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate. Some pieces may still be partially cooked.
- Brown Second Batch of Chicken: Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil to the skillet and repeat the browning process with the remaining chicken pieces. Transfer cooked chicken to the plate with the first batch.
- Cook with Sauce: Return all the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the chicken, cooking and spooning the sauce over the pieces until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens, becomes glossy, and reduces by about half, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with thinly sliced scallions if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Make sure to dry chicken pieces well before seasoning for better browning.
- Use a heavy skillet like cast-iron for even heat distribution and browning.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If you prefer spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
