Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight meal: these unbelievably delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Bites. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a dish that’s bursting with sweet and savory flavor. The chicken is perfectly tender, coated in a sticky, glossy sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the kind of quick and easy dinner that saves busy days and satisfies the whole family.
Whether you need a simple main course, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a fantastic meal prep component, this recipe is your answer. It’s simple, fast, and uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
Why This Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe is a Winner
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner rotation. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic weeknights.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy shopping list required. This recipe uses common pantry staples to create an incredibly flavorful dish.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and pungent garlic creates a truly irresistible sauce.
- Versatile Serving: These chicken bites are amazing served over rice, with noodles, or alongside your favorite steamed vegetables. They even make a great party appetizer! If you’re looking for another crowd-pleaser, our Slow Cooker French Dip sandwiches are always a hit.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simple yet powerful ingredient list. We’ll break it down into two parts: the chicken and that amazing honey garlic sauce.
For the Chicken Bites
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. Cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Cornstarch: This is the secret to a light, crispy coating on the chicken that helps the sauce cling beautifully.
- Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken before cooking.
- Olive Oil: Or any neutral oil for pan-frying the chicken to golden perfection.
For the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
- Honey: The star of the show, providing the signature sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor. Avoid the jarred kind if you can.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness and richness.
- Water: To help create the right sauce consistency.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bites: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create perfectly sticky and tender chicken bites every single time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breast cubes dry with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until each piece is lightly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Combine and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Coat and Serve: Toss the chicken in the sauce until every piece is coated in the glossy, sticky glaze. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and serve immediately. This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides, much like our popular Lemon Herb Rice.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Sticky Glaze
Want to ensure your honey garlic chicken is absolutely perfect? Follow these pro tips.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. This ensures each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown crust instead of steaming.
- Use Fresh Garlic: The flavor of freshly minced garlic is so much more vibrant and aromatic than pre-minced jarred garlic. It makes a huge difference in the sauce.
- Let the Sauce Thicken: Be patient and let the sauce simmer and reduce. This is what creates that delicious, thick glaze that clings to the chicken.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce before adding the chicken back in. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey. If you want more tang, a splash more vinegar will do the trick.
Alternative Cooking Methods
While pan-frying is the classic method, these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are also fantastic when baked or made in the air fryer.
Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare and cook the chicken as directed, but instead of pan-frying, spread the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce in a small saucepan on the stove. Once the chicken is done, toss it in the thickened sauce to coat.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Place the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches. Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is golden and cooked. Prepare the sauce on the stovetop, and then toss the air-fried chicken in the sauce to serve.
What to Serve with Your Chicken Bites
These versatile bites pair well with a wide variety of sides. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Steamed Rice: Fluffy white or brown rice is perfect for soaking up the extra honey garlic sauce.
- Vegetables: Serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or a side of Garlic Butter Mushrooms (coming soon).
- Noodles: Toss the chicken and sauce with cooked ramen or udon noodles for a complete meal.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a fresh, crisp contrast.
Storage, Reheating, and Meal Prep
Store any leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. The sauce will loosen up as it warms.
This recipe is also excellent for meal prep! Simply portion the chicken with rice and your favorite vegetable for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s very easy to make this gluten-free. Simply substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, so no other changes are needed.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They may take a couple of extra minutes to cook through, but they will be incredibly juicy and flavorful.
The key is to let the sauce simmer gently in the skillet for 2-3 minutes after you whisk the ingredients together. This allows the honey to caramelize and the sauce to reduce, creating that perfect sticky consistency.
Yes! To bake them, place the cornstarch-coated chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes. Prepare the sauce separately on the stovetop and toss the baked chicken in the sauce before serving.
For best results, reheat the chicken bites in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. This helps revive the sauce and prevents the chicken from becoming rubbery, which can sometimes happen in a microwave.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
If you loved these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites, you’re sure to enjoy our Spicy Black Pepper Chicken or our comforting Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
We hope you love this quick and flavorful recipe! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites (The Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken cubes dry. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes, turning, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat each piece in the sticky glaze.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: For a bit of heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Tip 3: This recipe works great with boneless, skinless chicken thighs as well; just adjust cooking time as needed.
