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Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 56 reviews

This honey garlic chicken bites recipe features tender, bite-sized chicken thighs seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, coated in cornstarch, and pan-fried to golden crispness before being tossed in a luscious honey garlic sauce with sweet chili and soy sauce. Served best over hibachi-style rice and garnished with sesame seeds and scallions, this dish is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and garlicky notes that make a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Coating

  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying

Sauce

  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy recommended)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 10 cloves garlic, chopped (not minced)

For Serving

  • Hibachi-style rice
  • Sesame seeds
  • Chopped scallions

Instructions

  1. Season & marinate chicken: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and sesame oil. Seal and shake to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate to marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day to develop flavor.
  2. Add cornstarch & rest chicken: Right before cooking, add cornstarch to the marinated chicken and toss or shake until all pieces are well coated. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  3. Brown chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches without overcrowding, frying each batch until golden brown and lightly crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove browned chicken with a slotted utensil and set aside. Add more oil between batches as needed. Return all browned chicken to the skillet once done.
  4. Build the honey garlic chicken: Reduce heat to medium. Add honey, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and chopped garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Stir to combine using a rubber spatula or wooden utensil. Simmer the mixture for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld beautifully around the chicken bites.
  5. Serve: Serve this saucy honey garlic chicken immediately over hibachi-style rice or your preferred rice and sides such as vegetables or mashed potatoes. Garnish generously with sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a perfect finishing touch. Enjoy your flavorful meal!

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken longer enhances the flavor, but 1 hour is sufficient for a quick preparation.
  • Coating the chicken with cornstarch before browning ensures a crispy exterior.
  • Do not mince the garlic; chopping yields a better texture in the sauce.
  • Working in batches prevents overcrowding and helps achieve an even crisp on the chicken bites.
  • Feel free to substitute vegetable oil with other neutral oils with high smoke points, such as canola or peanut oil.
  • Serve with a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables to balance the meal nutritionally.

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, chicken bites, sweet chili chicken, fried chicken, Asian chicken recipe, honey garlic sauce

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/honey-garlic-chicken-bites-recipe/