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Golden crispy honey chicken served on a plate, coated in sticky sweet honey glaze with sesame seeds.

Crispy Honey Chicken Recipe | Easy Asian-Inspired Dinner

Crispy honey chicken is the ultimate comfort food—juicy chicken pieces fried until golden, then tossed in a sticky-sweet honey glaze. Perfect for weeknight dinners, takeout-style cravings, or impressing guests with a homemade favorite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine Asian-fusion, Chinese-American inspired
Servings 4
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • Large frying pan or wok
  • Deep-fry thermometer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Wire rack or paper towels for draining

Ingredients
  

Chicken & Marinade:

  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt

Coating:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup cold water or soda water

Honey Sauce:

  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp corn syrup (optional, for stickiness)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Finishing Touches:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced scallions

Instructions
 

  • Marinate Chicken: Toss chicken with soy sauce, cornstarch, and salt. Rest 20 minutes.
  • Prepare Coating: Mix flour, cornstarch, and baking powder in one bowl. Whisk cold water with flour in another to form batter. Dip chicken in batter, then dredge in dry mix.
  • First Fry: Heat oil to 325°F (160°C). Fry chicken in batches until light golden, 3–4 minutes. Drain on rack.
  • Rest: Let chicken rest 5–10 minutes to firm coating.
  • Second Fry: Raise oil to 375°F (190°C). Fry again until deep golden and ultra-crispy, 2–3 minutes. Drain.
  • Make Sauce: Simmer honey, soy sauce, vinegar, corn syrup, and garlic until glossy.
  • Toss Chicken: Coat fried chicken quickly in sauce for even coverage.
  • Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or salad.

Notes

  • Best Results: Keep batter cold for airy coating.
  • Storage: Store chicken and sauce separately; reheat chicken in oven for crispness.
  • Make-Ahead: Fry chicken once, refrigerate, then double-fry before serving.
  • Variations: Add chili flakes for spice, or adapt recipe for oven-baking or air fryer.
  • Tip: Toss chicken in sauce just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Keyword crispy honey chicken, double-fried chicken, homemade takeout, sticky chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken