Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite – Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken! This recipe is all about delivering big flavors and textures, from the extra crispy coating to the sticky-sweet garlicky sauce. With just the right balance of crunch and juiciness, this dish brings restaurant-style indulgence right to your own kitchen.

I still remember the first time I served this Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken at a birthday dinner – the plates were practically licked clean! It has since become a staple for celebrations or cozy nights in. The magic truly happens when the fragrant garlic combines with the sweetness of honey in the sauce, creating a flavor profile that will have everyone coming back for more.

Whether you’re craving a comforting meal or looking to impress your guests, this dish hits all the right notes. With a simple yet flavorful sauce, crunchy coating, and juicy chicken, it’s a winning combination that will have everyone asking for seconds. So, roll up your sleeves, get ready for some crispy goodness, and let’s dive into making this Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken!

Quick Benefits

• Extra crispy exterior: Coating the chicken twice in seasoned flour and egg wash results in a delightfully crunchy texture that contrasts with the juicy chicken inside.
• Lighter option available: You can bake the breaded chicken for a lighter, crunchy result by using a preheated oiled baking sheet.
• Juicy chicken: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook quickly and evenly, preserving the juiciness of the meat.
• Flavorful honey garlic sauce: The sauce, made with honey, soy sauce, black pepper, minced garlic, and olive oil, offers a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Recipe

• Big Texture, Bolder Flavor: The double-crunch coating ensures an extra crispy outside with juicy chicken inside, while the sticky-sweet garlicky sauce adds a burst of flavor.
• Family Favorite: Perfect for family dinners, celebrations, or cozy nights in, this dish will have everyone licking their plates clean.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: With just a little extra effort, you can enjoy restaurant-style chicken in the comfort of your home.
• Irresistible Aroma: The fragrant combination of fresh garlic and honey creates a magical scent that will have your family eagerly awaiting mealtime.
• Easy to Store and Reheat: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the oven for the best crunch, or freeze the breaded chicken for quick homemade meals.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe by using gluten-free flour, chicken thighs, maple syrup, or shallots to suit your preferences.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy the chicken sliced over rice or noodles, in wraps, or as a filling for sandwiches, paired with a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
• Comfort Food Lore: Combining Western breaded cutlets with classic Asian sweet and savory flavors, this dish is a crowd-pleasing comfort food that bridges different taste traditions.
• Guest-Worthy Dish: Impress your guests with this deceptively simple yet mouthwatering recipe that will have everyone asking for more.
• Crispy Coating Technique: Coating the chicken twice in seasoned flour and egg wash ensures an exceptionally crispy exterior that holds up well against the sauce.
• Healthier Option: For a lighter alternative, you can bake the breaded chicken instead of frying, yielding a crunchy result without the extra oil.
• Even Cooking: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking, keeping the meat juicy and tender.
• Delicious Sauce: The honey garlic sauce, made with honey, soy sauce, black pepper, garlic, and olive oil, adds a delightful savory-sweet kick to the dish.
• Perfect Pairings: This dish complements well with steamed rice, noodles, or veggies, offering a complete and satisfying meal option.

Ingredients for Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Chicken Preparation

• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Breading

• 2 teaspoons ground sage
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons ground ginger
• 4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 500 g all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika

Egg Wash

• 4 large eggs
• 120 ml water

Frying

• Canola oil, enough for frying (approx. 1.25 cm deep in skillet)

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 60 ml low sodium soy sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 340 g honey
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pro Tips for Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

To achieve the perfect crunch, make sure to coat the chicken twice in the seasoned flour and egg wash. This double coating method will result in an extra crispy exterior that everyone will love.

For a lighter alternative, you can bake the breaded chicken on a preheated oiled baking sheet instead of frying. This method still yields a crunchy texture while being a healthier option.

To ensure even cooking and juiciness, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading and cooking. This step helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly, keeping the inside juicy and tender.

Lastly, the honey garlic sauce is a key component of this dish. Simmer the sauce gently until it thickens to the desired consistency, combining the sweet and savory flavors perfectly. Serve the chicken over steamed rice or noodles with your favorite vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Cutlets

Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to 1.25 cm thickness using a meat mallet, or slice horizontally to make cutlets.

Step 2: Mix Seasoned Flour

Combine flour, salt, black pepper, ground ginger, nutmeg, thyme, sage, cayenne pepper, and paprika in a large bowl. Store half of the mixture in an airtight bag and freeze for later use.

Step 3: Create Egg Wash

In a shallow dish, whisk eggs and water until well combined.

Step 4: Coat Chicken

Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Coat each cutlet in flour, then egg wash, and flour again, pressing to adhere.

Step 5: Shallow Fry

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat canola oil to a depth of 1.25 cm. Fry chicken cutlets for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, adjusting heat as needed.

Step 6: Drain Fried Chicken

Place the fried chicken on a wire rack and let it rest for a few minutes to keep it crispy before adding sauce.

Step 7: Prepare Honey Garlic Sauce

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until soft. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and black pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool briefly.

Step 8: Sauce and Serve

Coat cooked chicken pieces with honey garlic sauce just before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Step 9: Oven-Baked Variation

Preheat oven to 218°C with a sheet pan inside. Lightly oil the hot pan, place coated chicken cutlets on it spaced apart, spray with canola oil. Bake on the second lowest rack for 15 minutes, flip, bake 10-15 more minutes until golden and crisp. Coat with sauce and serve.

Storage Tips

Once you have enjoyed your delicious Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken, any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, it’s best to place the chicken in a hot oven to retain its crunch, as microwaving can soften the coating. You can also freeze the breaded uncooked chicken, then bake or fry it straight from frozen for a quick homemade meal.

For a lighter alternative, you can bake the breaded chicken on a preheated oiled baking sheet to achieve a crispy result. To ensure even cooking, it’s recommended to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. The flavorful honey garlic sauce, made with honey, soy sauce, black pepper, minced garlic, and olive oil, can be gently simmered until thickened to drizzle over the chicken. This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles and complements nicely with a side of vegetables, creating a satisfying meal that will surely impress your guests.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to achieve a similar crunch and flavor in the chicken coating. Additionally, if you prefer a darker and richer glaze for the chicken, you can swap out the honey in the sauce for maple syrup. This substitution will bring a slightly different flavor profile to the dish but will still provide a delicious sweet and savory combination.

For a milder taste in the sauce, you can replace the minced garlic with finely chopped shallots. This swap will give the sauce a more subtle and nuanced flavor, perfect for those who prefer a less pronounced garlic taste. Experimenting with different ingredients in the sauce allows you to customize the dish to suit your taste preferences while still enjoying the sticky-sweet goodness that complements the crunchy chicken perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative twist on serving this Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken, try cutting the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and skewering them with fresh pineapple chunks and bell peppers for a colorful and flavorful kabob dish. Drizzle extra honey garlic sauce over the skewers before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

Another fun idea is to chop the chicken into strips and use them as a filling for lettuce wraps. Simply spoon the chicken into large lettuce leaves, drizzle with the sticky honey garlic sauce, and top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh and light meal option. The combination of crispy chicken and sweet garlic sauce wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves is sure to be a hit with your family and guests.

FAQs for Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?

Yes, you can bake the breaded chicken on a preheated oiled baking sheet for a lighter, crunchy result.

Why is it important to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness?

Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook quickly and evenly, keeping the inside juicy.

What ingredients are in the honey garlic sauce?

The sauce combines honey, soy sauce, black pepper, minced garlic, and olive oil, gently simmered until thickened.

What are some serving suggestions for this double crunch honey garlic chicken?

This crunchy honey garlic chicken pairs well with steamed rice or noodles and your choice of vegetables.

Conclusion

Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken is truly a dish that brings people together and creates lasting memories. The combination of crispy chicken and sticky-sweet garlic sauce is a winner every time. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just craving some comforting homemade goodness, this recipe is sure to delight your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken your own by experimenting with different ingredients or serving it in various ways. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility and ability to adapt to your preferences. So, gather your loved ones around the table, savor each crunchy bite, and bask in the joy of good food and great company. Enjoy making and sharing this delicious Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken with those you care about!