Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – The best takeout-style dinner at home! After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy coating and sweet, tangy sauce. The trick I discovered is to use cornstarch for a crispy crust. This chicken is juicy, crispy, and full of flavor. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Breakfast Enchiladas and Cracked Garlic Steak Tortellini Recipe.
Why This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy coating that stays crispy
- Sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce
- Easy to make and ready in 30 minutes
- Better than takeout and healthier too
What You'll Need for Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped cashews or peanuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use thighs or tenders.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Prevents overcooking and ensures food safety → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken in mixture.
- Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until combined and heated through.
- Combine and serve: Add chicken back to skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice or noodles.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
- : For extra crispy chicken, double coat it in the cornstarch mixture.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce isn't thickening, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and add it to the skillet. Cook until thickened.
- : To prevent soggy chicken, don't overcrowd the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately. Store in the fridge. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Reheat for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Chicken may lose some crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a diced Thai chili or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately. Store in the fridge. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is not cooking evenly, try using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality honey — Enhances the flavor of the sauce → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Green onions (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped cashews or peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken in mixture.
- Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until combined and heated through.
- Combine and serve: Add chicken back to skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a diced Thai chili or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately. Store in the fridge. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is not cooking evenly, try using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Reheat for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Chicken may lose some crispiness.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately. Store in the fridge. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, prepare the chicken and sauce separately. Store in the fridge. Combine and cook when ready to serve.
Overcrowding the skillet can lead to soggy chicken. Cook in batches if necessary.
Yes, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
You can use maple syrup or brown sugar as a substitute for honey.
This dish is perfect for a cozy fall dinner. Serve it with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
