Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce made with honey, garlic, and a touch of heat. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines crispy seared chicken with a luscious homemade sauce that clings to every bite. Serve over rice, pasta, or alongside your favorite vegetables for a comforting and satisfying meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1.5 pound chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 5-6 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce or sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. In a large bowl, combine the chicken with cornstarch, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning and cornstarch mixture.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large heavy-duty skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan, spacing them out evenly. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes, turning carefully, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the crushed garlic, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, and hot sauce. This sauce will provide a savory-sweet and slightly spicy glaze.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked chicken in the pan. Lower the heat to medium and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, becomes sticky, and coats the chicken thoroughly. The longer you cook it, the thicker and stickier the sauce will become.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the honey garlic chicken bites over rice, pasta, or with your favorite steamed or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before coating to help the cornstarch stick better and create a nice crust.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your taste preferences.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- The sauce thickens more as it cooks; avoid rushing this step to achieve the best texture.
- Use a heavy-duty pan or non-stick skillet to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.