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Make this better-than-take-out easy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe in less than 30 minutes! It’s made easily with simple ingredients, like frozen chicken bites, your favorite honey, chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, and red pepper flakes served over white rice. Honey and garlic chicken is the perfect blend of sugary-sweet and subtle heat!

A wooden bowl filled with honey garlic chicken with rice being picked up with chopsticks.

Skip the takeout and make Chinese Chicken with garlic and honey in no time at home. I am not sure about you, but when I order Chinese takeout, it is often loaded with sodium. The following morning, I wake up with bloated hands and feet! This recipe allows you to control the salt and the heat.

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients needed to make honey garlic chicken.
  • Chicken: You can grab a bag of frozen chicken bites from the grocery store or see the homemade recipe below. 
  • Rice: Serve this saucy chicken recipe over a bed of rice, cooked and ready to go.
  • Honey: Choose your favorite brand of honey– The better the quality, the better the results!
  • Broth: Add savory notes to the honey sauce with chicken broth.
  • Vinegar: Bring a bit of acidity to the honey garlic sauce with rice vinegar or white vinegar. Rice vinegar is more traditional and will produce a more authentic flavor, but white vinegar will do the trick. Apple cider vinegar is another excellent option.
  • Soy sauce: Add a salty and savory taste to the chicken recipe with soy sauce. Or lower the sodium with a low-sodium soy sauce.
  • Garlic: Pack in the garlic flavor with garlic powder and a few fresh minced garlic cloves.
  • Red pepper: Bring a bit of heat with red pepper flakes. 
  • Green onion: Garnish the dish and add a pop of color with chopped green onions.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Make it Your Way: Use chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Then you can bread the chicken or not; it’s up to you, chef!
  • Pan-fry a lightly floured chicken breast or thighs and then toss or cover with the sauce if you want a whole piece of chicken for presentation.
  • Low-Sodium Honey Garlic Chicken: Choose low-sodium soy sauce and broth to reduce the salt content of the recipe.
  • Adjust the Heat: Use less or more red pepper flakes, depending on your preference.
  • Garnishes and Sides: Top the chicken with sesame seeds and green onions and serve it with rice, veggies, and wontons!
  • Add Crunch: Garnish with chopped peanuts for a satisfying crunch!
  • Swap Proteins: This will work with pork, beef, lamb, shrimp, or even tofu.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Cook rice and chicken

Let’s get started by chopping all the fresh veggies so they are ready to use. Set the green onions aside for garnish.

Then, begin cooking the rice according to the package instructions. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the chicken following the frozen chicken package directions.

A wooden cutting board with a knife, green onions, and garlic cloves diced up.

Step 2 | Combine sauce ingredients

Next, set a large saute pan over medium heat and add the honey, broth, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, minced fresh garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook the sauce ingredients for about 10 minutes or until reduced, stirring a few times.

Adding ingredients into a saucepan and stirring to combine.

Step 3 | Add cooked chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, add it to the large skillet and toss it for a couple of minutes until it is hot and fully coated with the sauce.

Adding crispy chicken into honey garlic sauce in then stirred in pan to coat.

Step 4 | Garnish, serve, and enjoy!

Then, serve your fresh honey-garlic chicken with steamed rice and garnish with sliced green onions. 

A pan of Chinese crispy honey garlic chicken sprinkled with green onion slices.

Can I Make The Breaded Chicken From Scratch?

Sure! Homemade chicken nuggets are delicious! Here’s what you need:

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup oil

Just whisk eggs in a bowl, then add cornstarch flour and salt to another bowl. Next, dredge the chicken pieces in the eggs and the flour mixture. 

Place a skillet over medium heat, adding oil– Sesame oil is best! Once it’s nice and hot, add the breaded chicken and cook it on each side for 4 to 7 minutes until golden brown. To be sure, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. It should reach 165 degrees F.

Tips

  • Double the Sauce – Want more sweet and savory sauce for the sides? Just double the easy recipe!
  • Cooked Chicken– Cook the chicken however you’d like. I suggest the oven or the air fryer for the best results.
  • Healthy Choices– Serve the recipe with cauliflower rice or brown rice and steamed broccoli as a healthier, complete meal.
A serving plate with white rice and honey garlic chicken garnished with green onion slices.

Recipe FAQs

Are chicken thighs or breasts best for honey garlic chicken?

Dark meat, like boneless chicken thighs, is excellent for this recipe because it is extra tender and moist. However, chicken breast is healthier and still flavorful. So, it’s up to you which chicken will be the best for the recipe.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Sure! Replace the soy sauce with tamari or another GF alternative, and ensure the chicken broth and vinegar are gluten-free. If you’re frying your own chicken, make it with cornstarch or gluten-free flour. Otherwise, choose a gluten-free frozen chicken product.

Can I use beef instead of chicken for the honey garlic recipe?

If preferred, swap the chicken for beef or pork. A tender cut is best.

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Crispy honey garlic chicken served over a bed of rice.

Storage

Refrigerate: Store leftover honey chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Keep in mind that the chicken will not be as crisp on the outside as it is when enjoyed fresh. Place the chicken back into the skillet or warm in the microwave to reheat.

Freeze for Long-term Storage: You can freeze the chicken recipe; However, the dish will be less tender and crisp when thawed.

What to Serve with Garlic Chicken with Honey

Serve this sweet and spicy chicken with a nutritious Kale Crunch Salad, tender Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes, and easy Air Fryer Green Beans.

This recipe really is versatile. While some think of Honey Garlic Chicken as an Asian food, this sauce really can be served with other traditional foods. My family loves it with Mac and Cheese and broccoli.

If you’re looking for more easy 30-minute recipes to add to your weekly menu, try my Cheesy Unstuffed Pepper Skillet and Creamy Spicy Sausage Spaghetti Pasta– Yum!

More Asian-Inspired Recipes

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A light wooden bowl filled with rice and topped with crispy honey garlic chicken garnished with sliced green onions, set on a wooden table with a bunch on spring onions and red pepper flakes.
Recipe
5 from 6 votes

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Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Nikki Lee
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Make this better-than-take-out Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe in less than 30 minutes! It’s made easily with simple ingredients, like frozen chicken bites, your favorite honey, chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, and red pepper flakes served over white rice.

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 18 ounces frozen chicken bites, cooked (or see homemade recipe)
  • 2 cups rice, cooked
  • ⅔ cup honey
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, (use less if want less spicy)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onion

Instructions

  • Cooking cook the rice according to the directions, this will take about 15-20 minutes.
  • While the rice is cooking, cook the chicken according to the package directions. This will take roughly 10 minutes.
  • To a large saute pan, medium heat; add the honey, chicken broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Occasionally stir for 10 minutes or until slightly reduced.
  • Add the chicken, after being cooked in the oven or air fryer into the skillet. Toss for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully coated and hot.
  • Serve with rice and top with green onions. You can also top with sesame seeds if desired.

Want to Save this Recipe?

Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!

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Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 457kcal (23%) Carbohydrates: 83g (28%) Protein: 24g (48%) Fat: 3g (5%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0.01g Cholesterol: 55mg (18%) Sodium: 851mg (37%) Potassium: 468mg (13%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 31g (34%) Vitamin A: 76IU (2%) Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) Calcium: 35mg (4%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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Nikki Lee author of Soulfully Made in the kitchen serving cupcakes.

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Nikki Lee. Here at Soulfully Made you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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9 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    What a great way to make frozen chicken bites even better! Such a great recipe and perfect for busy weeknights 🙂

    Reply