Korean fried chicken joints use potato starch, not cornstarch—it stays crispier for 40 minutes longer than American versions.

Honey Butter Chicken

Name: Honey Butter Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 33 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz. chicken; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 inch piece ginger, grated; 2 tbsp honey; Black pepper (1/2-1 tsp, to taste); Salt (1-2 tsp, to taste); 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp unsalted butter

ByMitchell•View original post →

Indulge in the delightful harmony of flavors with our Honey Butter Chicken! This dish features tender chicken thighs bathed in a luscious blend of creamy butter and rich honey, creating a sweet-savory sensation that will have your taste buds dancing. Perfectly seared and finished off with a drizzle of honey, this recipe is a must-try for any weeknight dinner!

quickdelicious

nut-freeegg-free

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The Story

This Korean-American frankenstein was birthed in Los Angeles' Koreatown during the 1990s when second-generation Korean-Americans discovered their parents' dakgangjeong could seduce American palates if you swapped the rice syrup for proper honey and ditched the gochujang heat—suddenly Seoul's crispy chicken royalty had a sweet-talking California cousin that conquered strip mall food courts from Buena Park to the Bronx.

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Regional Twist

In Seoul's Gangnam district, they triple the ginger and add rice wine vinegar to the honey-soy glaze, creating a sharper bite that cuts through the sweetness.

Prep

min

Cook

min

Serves

people

Level

beginner

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

450

Protein

28g

Carbs

42g

Fat

15g

📝 Ingredients

🧂

Pantry Items

Amounts also listed in instructions below

8 oz (227 g) chicken
cornstarch (to taste)
garlic powder (to taste)
ginger (to taste)
honey (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
salt (to taste)
soy sauce (to taste)
unsalted butter (to taste)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1
Cut the chicken into half-inch chunks.
2
Combine cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and dredge the chicken thoroughly.
3
Toss the chicken in the air fryer, spray it with oil, and cook at 375 degrees for 18 minutes.
4
For the sauce, combine soy sauce, ginger, and honey, and mix thoroughly.
5
Melt the butter, add the sauce, and cook until reduced.
6
Combine the sauce with the chicken and serve over rice, optionally garnished with sesame seeds and scallions.

💡 Pro Tips

✓
Double-dredge your chicken chunks by letting the cornstarch coating sit for 5 minutes before air frying to allow starches to hydrate and create a crispier crust.technique5 minutes
✓
Cook your honey-butter sauce to 220°F to achieve proper reduction - this concentrates flavors and creates a glossy coating that clings to chicken without being sticky.timing220°F
✓
Grate ginger on a microplane against the grain to break down tough fibers and release 30% more aromatic compounds compared to chopping.technique30% more aromatics
✓
Shake your air fryer basket at the 10-minute mark to ensure even browning, as hot air circulation creates temperature variations of 15-20°F across the basket.timing10 minutes
✓
Add the honey to your sauce off-heat to prevent caramelization above 320°F, which would create bitter compounds and overpower the delicate chicken coating.ingredient320°F

Cuisine: american

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