Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – The best homemade version that’s better than takeout. After making this dozens of times, I’ve perfected the crispy texture and rich, sweet sauce. The trick I discovered is to coat the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch and baking powder for that perfect crispiness. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sushi Bake and Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes.
Why This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy chicken that's better than takeout
- Sweet and savory honey garlic sauce
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for meal prepping and freezing
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.
- chicken breasts
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- baking powder
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
- Optional: toasted cashews
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Baking Powder — Ensures crispy chicken coating. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken in mixture.
- Step 2: Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken, cook until crispy. Remove chicken, set aside.
- Step 3: In same skillet, sauté garlic. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Add chicken back to skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Garnish with green onions. Serve hot.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken. Cook in batches if needed to maintain crispiness.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Pro tip: To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your baking powder is gluten-free.
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 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken coating and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Cook just before serving.
Freezing Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then crisp in the oven for 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, like canola or avocado oil, for best results.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken coating and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Cook just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce isn't thickening, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
Want to level up this recipe?
Digital Meat Thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature every time. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- honey
- garlic
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- baking powder
Seasonings
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- green onions
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds
- toasted cashews
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken in mixture.
- Step 2: Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken, cook until crispy. Remove chicken, set aside.
- Step 3: In same skillet, sauté garlic. Add honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Add chicken back to skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Garnish with green onions. Serve hot.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, like canola or avocado oil, for best results.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken coating and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Cook just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce isn't thickening, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then crisp in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken coating and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Cook just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- 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, cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, then toss in the sauce.
Ensure your chicken is dry before coating, and don't overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed.
Yes, store cooked chicken and sauce separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Serve Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken as a cozy, hearty main dish for your holiday gatherings.
Reduce the amount of honey or add a splash of vinegar to balance the sweetness.
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!
