This honey chicken is crispy pieces of chicken breast that are fried to golden brown perfection, then tossed in a sweet and savory honey sauce. A homemade version of the takeout classic that tastes even better than what you would get at a restaurant!
My family loves when I prepare some of our favorite Asian style dishes at home including sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls and this amazingly delicious honey chicken. Add a side of rice and dinner is served!
Whenever I eat at P.F. Chang’s I have to order the honey chicken. I just can’t resist that combination of ultra crispy chicken with sauce! This copycat version is simple to make, and is sure to please the whole family.
How do you make honey chicken?
The first step is to cook up the chicken. Dip pieces of chicken breast into a seasoned egg mixture, then coat them in a blend of corn starch and flour. Fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Place honey, soy sauce and seasonings in a pan, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in a little corn starch to thicken the sauce. Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the sauce, then top with green onions and enjoy.
Tips for the perfect chicken
- Be sure to use a frying thermometer so that you can closely monitor the temperature of the oil. If the oil is too hot, the coating can burn before the chicken is cooked through. If the oil is too cold, the chicken will absorb excess grease.
- This dish is best served immediately as the chicken coating will eventually soften as it soaks up the sauce. If you’d like to have leftovers for another day, plan to store a portion of the crispy chicken separate from the sauce. That way you can reheat the chicken and sauce on their own, and the dish will maintain its flavor and texture.
- I typically use a basic clover honey for my honey chicken, but other varieties of honey will also work. I recommend using a milder flavor honey so that the flavor of the sauce doesn’t overpower the chicken.
- Use a neutral flavored oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil or peanut oil.
Flavor Variations
While I love this recipe as written, sometimes I use other ingredients for a different flavor.
- Protein: Try using pieces of chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer flavor. Another option is to use medium sized shrimp.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add some cooked vegetables to the chicken and sauce, some good options include broccoli, zucchini or carrots.
- Spice: Love spicy food? Add some heat to the sauce with sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
What to serve with honey chicken
While I often serve this dish over steamed white rice, other great grain options include crispy fried rice noodles, quinoa, brown rice, or a boiled rice or egg noodle. If you’re looking to save a few carbs, try serving your honey chicken over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
You cannot go wrong with this dish – it’s packed with bold flavors and is just as good as anything you’d get at your favorite Asian restaurant!
More Asian food favorites
Honey Chicken Video
Honey Chicken
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- oil for frying canola or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced
For the sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water divided use
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
Instructions
For the chicken
- Place the eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Place the flour and 1/2 cup corn starch in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Stir to combine.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then into the flour. Repeat the process with all of the chicken.
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees F.
- Add 7-8 pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken.
- Drain the chicken on paper towels.
For the sauce
- While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. Place the honey, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of water, sesame oil and apple cider vinegar in a small pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Mix the corn starch with the remaining tablespoon of water. Pour the corn starch mixture into the honey mixture.
- Bring the sauce to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
- Toss the honey sauce with the chicken. Sprinkle with green onions, then serve.
Kathy says
Could you use rice vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar?
S says
I think I will try this with hot honey. I love spicy things and this looks really good.
shawn says
I love breaded, fried food, but it doesn’t love me, so I made this without the breading and it is still so delicious. Definitely going in the rotation!
Lacy says
I first tried to make this recipe using my Air Fryer instead of frying the chicken and it was not good. No fault of the recipe though as I did not follow it!
I then made it again and cut the corn starch out of the chicken coating, just dipping it in egg and then flour and it was wonderful!
Debbie Tkaczyk says
I made the Honey Chicken, this recipe was truly amazing, I doubled the sauce bc I had a lot of cubed chicken pieces, in the end, I will be cooking this recipe again, and I added chopped onion and chopped mushrooms as I wanted to use these ingredients while they were fresh. Thank you. I had a chance to at least taste some it Honey Chicken, I’ll make even more sauce the next time.
Nicole says
Made this tonight and it was excellent. I love your recipes!
Samantha says
Hi, is there a specific brand of honey and sesame oil that you recommend?
Sara says
I just use clover honey and either Dynasty or Trader Joe’s sesame oil
Catherine Dickey says
For the comments I READ WILL SOON TRY THIS RECIPE LOVE the honey part you add
Heathrr says
Fantastic recipe. My husband and kids LOVED it. Will make it again
Kristy says
Is there anything I could substitute for the sesame oil?
Sara says
There’s not a great substitute you’d need to omit it!