Chinese restaurants use cornstarch slurry in honey garlic sauce because it stays glossy for 45 minutes under heat lamps.
Honey Garlic Chicken
Savor the sweet and savory delight of our Honey Garlic Chicken, an effortless dish that transforms your weeknight dinners into a culinary celebration! With succulent chicken thighs glazed in a luscious honey-garlic sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that perfect crunch, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Whip it up in no time and watch everyone come back for seconds!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp green onion whites (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp water (30 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 lb chicken thighs (454 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(4)
- 2 tsp canola oil (10 ml)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (enough to coat) (30 ml)
- 3 tbsp honey (45 ml)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar (7.5 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(3)
- 1/2 tsp paprika (2.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (2.5 ml)
- Salt, Pepper to taste
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 1.5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (22.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Start with your chicken, salt, pepper, a little bit of oil, cornstarch, and mix until coated.
- 2
Put the sauce ingredients together: soy sauce, honey, red pepper flakes, paprika, water, garlic, and sugar, and whisk together.
- 3
Heat some oil in a pan, add your chicken, and cook until it reaches 165°F and is golden brown.
- 4
In the same pan, add the green onion whites, and as the butter melts, add in your sauce mixture. Cook until the sauce thickens.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Coat chicken in 1 tablespoon cornstarch per pound to create a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss and ensures the honey-garlic sauce adheres properly instead of sliding off.technique1 tbsp per pound
- ✓Heat your pan to 325-350°F before adding chicken so the cornstarch coating forms an immediate crust, sealing in juices while preventing the honey from burning.equipment325-350°F
- ✓Add honey-based sauce only after chicken reaches 165°F because honey begins to caramelize and turn bitter at 280°F, which happens quickly in a hot pan.timing165°F chicken, 280°F honey burn point
- ✓Use a 3:1 honey to soy sauce ratio for optimal balance, as honey's fructose provides sweetness while soy sauce's glutamates enhance umami without overpowering.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes after adding to reduce water content by 30% and concentrate flavors while the cornstarch activates to thicken at 185°F.timing2-3 minutes, 185°F activation
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Chinese restaurants use cornstarch slurry in honey garlic sauce because it stays glossy for 45 minutes under heat lamps.
Honey Garlic Chicken
Savor the sweet and savory delight of our Honey Garlic Chicken, an effortless dish that transforms your weeknight dinners into a culinary celebration! With succulent chicken thighs glazed in a luscious honey-garlic sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that perfect crunch, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Whip it up in no time and watch everyone come back for seconds!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp green onion whites (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp water (30 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 lb chicken thighs (454 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(4)
- 2 tsp canola oil (10 ml)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (enough to coat) (30 ml)
- 3 tbsp honey (45 ml)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar (7.5 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(3)
- 1/2 tsp paprika (2.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (2.5 ml)
- Salt, Pepper to taste
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 1.5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (22.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Start with your chicken, salt, pepper, a little bit of oil, cornstarch, and mix until coated.
- 2
Put the sauce ingredients together: soy sauce, honey, red pepper flakes, paprika, water, garlic, and sugar, and whisk together.
- 3
Heat some oil in a pan, add your chicken, and cook until it reaches 165°F and is golden brown.
- 4
In the same pan, add the green onion whites, and as the butter melts, add in your sauce mixture. Cook until the sauce thickens.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Coat chicken in 1 tablespoon cornstarch per pound to create a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss and ensures the honey-garlic sauce adheres properly instead of sliding off.technique1 tbsp per pound
- ✓Heat your pan to 325-350°F before adding chicken so the cornstarch coating forms an immediate crust, sealing in juices while preventing the honey from burning.equipment325-350°F
- ✓Add honey-based sauce only after chicken reaches 165°F because honey begins to caramelize and turn bitter at 280°F, which happens quickly in a hot pan.timing165°F chicken, 280°F honey burn point
- ✓Use a 3:1 honey to soy sauce ratio for optimal balance, as honey's fructose provides sweetness while soy sauce's glutamates enhance umami without overpowering.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes after adding to reduce water content by 30% and concentrate flavors while the cornstarch activates to thicken at 185°F.timing2-3 minutes, 185°F activation