Description
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken made with tender chicken tenders simmered in a sweet, spicy, and sticky honey garlic sauce. This recipe is a delicious homemade alternative to take-out, featuring a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors with a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 large cloves minced garlic
Sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic chili crisp (optional, like Momofuku)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
To Serve
- Rice
- Steamed broccoli
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and garlic chili crisp if using. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds if needed to help the honey incorporate. Set aside.
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper, then coat evenly with cornstarch.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden brown. Transfer cooked chicken to a dish and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté the garlic: Lower the heat to medium-low and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the sauce and chicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with garlic and butter, stirring to combine. Return the chicken tenders to the skillet, submerging them in the sauce.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and reduce until mostly evaporated.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle red pepper flakes and chopped fresh parsley over the chicken. Serve immediately over rice with a side of steamed broccoli.
Notes
- For a milder dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit entirely.
- Using chicken tenders keeps the dish tender and quick to cook, but chicken thighs can be substituted for a juicier result.
- Garlic chili crisp is optional but adds an extra depth of flavor and spice; omit if unavailable.
- Serve with steamed broccoli and rice to balance the sweetness and spice of the sauce.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure a crispy golden crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
