Honey Garlic Chicken

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Honey Garlic Chicken is an easy recipe for the sweet and savory Chinese-American dish made without pork or shellfish, so it's kosher.

This Chinese-American style chicken dish is delicious and simple to make.

The combination of sweet honey and savory soy sauce creates a delicious blend of flavors for the pieces of tender chicken breast.

It's a quick chicken dinner option for busy weeknights that brings classic takeout flavors from your stove to your table in less time than it normally takes for delivery!

This budget-friendly recipe features bite-size pieces of chicken breast, coated and fried until golden, then smothered in a savory glaze of honey, soy sauce, and garlic, with optional Sriracha for heat.

And since there are no pork or shellfish ingredients in this homemade takeout dish, it's kosher.

What do you need to make this honey garlic chicken recipe?

These are all you need to make this recipe:

boneless chicken breast
cornstarch
soy sauce
honey
sriracha sauce for spiciness (optional)
granulated garlic
oil for frying
sesame seeds for garnish, if desired

What is Chinese-American food?

Chinese-American cuisine is a style of Chinese cuisine that developed in the United States as Chinese immigrants adapted their cooking to local ingredients and American tastes. As a result, many Chinese-American dishes differ significantly from traditional dishes of China.

Chinese immigrants began arriving in the United States in large numbers in the mid-19th century, including people who came during the California Gold Rush and to work on the Central Pacific Railroad. Many settled in Chinatowns and established businesses, including restaurants.

Early Chinese restaurants often served miners, railroad workers, and other American customers. As Chinese restaurant owners adapted their cooking to the ingredients available to them and the tastes of their American customers, new dishes and variations developed.

Over time, these adaptations became part of a distinct Chinese-American culinary tradition. Familiar dishes such as chop suey, chow mein, and American-style fried rice became popular in the United States.

Chinese-American cuisine isn't simply traditional Chinese food served in America. It grew from Chinese cooking while also reflecting the ingredients, tastes, and dining culture of the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is honey garlic chicken?

Honey garlic chicken is a sweet and savory chicken dish made with tender pieces of chicken coated in a honey, soy sauce, and garlic glaze. It's a popular Chinese-American takeout dish.

What kind of chicken is best for honey garlic chicken?

Boneless, skinless chicken breast works well for this recipe because it cooks quickly and stays tender when cut into bite-size pieces. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat.

How do you make honey garlic chicken crispy?

Cut the chicken into small, evenly sized pieces and coat them well before frying. Frying the coated chicken until golden gives it a crispy exterior before the honey garlic sauce is added.

Is honey garlic chicken spicy?

Not necessarily. The honey garlic sauce is sweet and savory rather than spicy. This recipe uses optional Sriracha, so you can leave it out for a mild dish or add as much as you like for more heat.

Can I make honey garlic chicken ahead of time?

Honey garlic chicken is best served soon after cooking while the chicken is still crisp. You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time, then reheat and combine them just before serving.

What can I serve with honey garlic chicken?

Serve honey garlic chicken with white or brown rice, fried rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. The rice is especially good for soaking up the sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

If you love Chinese-American chicken dishes and don't eat pork, avoid shellfish, or keep kosher, try these recipes!

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Yield: 2 servings

Honey Garlic Chicken

5.0 Stars (6 Reviews)

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A delicious Chinese-American chicken dinner with sweet honey, garlic, and savory soy sauce. No pork and no shellfish ingredients. So, it's kosher.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 to 2½ lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into approximately 1-inch (bite-size) pieces.
• ½ cup cornstarch + 2-3 tablespoons more
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey or to taste
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce or as desired for spiciness (optional)
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• oil for frying
• sesame seeds for garnish, if desired

Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, honey, sriracha, garlic, and 1 cup of water together in a medium-sized sauce pan and bring to a boil on a medium-high heat. Then lower the heat to low.
2. Place ½ cup of the cornstarch in a bowl and add to it 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture and mix well until you've created a smooth slurry (you can use water instead of the mixture if you like).
3. Add the slurry back into the mixture in the sauce pan and mix well. Then, turn off the heat.
4. Take the chicken pieces and coat them with the remaining 2-3 tablespoons of cornstarch (you can use a large bowl or a bag).
5. Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to cover the bottom (around ⅛" high) and place on medium heat.
6. When the oil is ready (sprinkle a little corn starch into the oil, and when it sizzles, it's ready), place the coated chicken cubes in the hot oil (don't crowd—cook in batches if your frying pan isn't big enough), and fry for a little while on all sides until the outside is crispy and the chicken has cooked through.
7. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken pieces and gently mix to coat.
8. Garish with sesame seeds if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 606Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 2503mgCarbohydrates: 96gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 41g

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