If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into perfectly golden, crunchy chicken coated in a luscious, sticky sauce that’s bursting with sweet and savory notes, then get ready to fall in love with this Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe. It’s that magical combination of a crisp, light batter on tender chicken thighs, paired with a heavenly honey garlic glaze that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!). Whether you’re cooking a weeknight dinner or impressing friends, this dish is a flavorful, irresistible delight that’s surprisingly easy to master at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe shines because of simple ingredients that pack a punch. Each component plays a crucial role in ensuring the chicken gets that perfect crunch and the sauce delivers just the right balance of sweetness and garlic goodness.
- Chicken thighs (300g): Boneless and skinless pieces that stay juicy and tender under that crispy coating.
- Light soy sauce (1 tbsp): Adds the essential salty umami note to the marinade and glaze.
- Chinese cooking wine (2 tsp): Infuses a subtle depth and complexity—can be swapped with extra soy sauce if needed.
- Cornflour (2 tsp for marinade, plus 6 tbsp and ½ cup separately): Critical for that shatteringly crisp batter and coating.
- Plain/all-purpose flour (4 tbsp): Helps achieve a light yet sturdy batter texture.
- Cold soda water (7–8 tbsp): The secret to a bubbly, airy batter that crisps up beautifully without heaviness.
- Baking powder (¼ tsp): Boosts the batter’s lightness and crunch.
- Kosher salt (¼ tsp): Balances flavors without overpowering.
- Vegetable oil (2–3 cups): Ideal for deep frying, with a neutral flavor to keep the chicken crisp.
- Honey (â…“ cup): The star of the honey garlic glaze, delivering that luscious sweetness.
- Glucose or light corn syrup (1.5 tbsp): Adds shine and sticky texture to the sauce.
- Vermicelli rice noodles (optional, 25g): For an extra crispy, crunchy garnish that’s totally worth it.
- Sesame seeds: Nutty bursts that also look gorgeous sprinkled on top.
- Green onions: Fresh, sharp notes to contrast the rich sweetness of the sauce.
How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by tossing your chicken pieces in the light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and a small sprinkle of cornflour. This marinade does more than just flavor the chicken—it forms a base layer that helps the batter stick better and brings out that quintessential savory taste. Letting the chicken soak up these flavors for at least 30 minutes is key to juicy, tasty bites.
Step 2: Prepare the Batter and Coat the Chicken
Mix together the cornflour, plain flour, baking powder, and salt to build the batter’s foundation. Slowly whisk in cold soda water until you have a thick but smooth batter with just the right clinginess. Meanwhile, dredge the marinated chicken pieces lightly in cornflour to ensure they get an extra crisp outer shell. Then dip each piece into the batter, letting any excess drip off before frying. This two-step coating means double layers of crunch.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken to Perfection
Heat your oil to about 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken pieces in small batches so they have room to crisp without steaming. Watch for that gorgeous golden color and a satisfying crunch—that’s your cue to fish them out. Draining on paper towels here helps keep the coating ultra-crispy and light.
Step 4: Whip Up the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small saucepan, gently warm honey, glucose (or corn syrup), light soy sauce, and cooking wine until everything blends into a thick, sticky sauce. Heating it slowly keeps the flavors balanced and intensifies that glossy sheen that clings perfectly to your crispy chicken.
Step 5: Toss and Garnish for Serving
When the chicken is warm and crispy, toss it in the honey garlic sauce to coat every piece evenly. If you’re using vermicelli rice noodles, this is when you deep fry them until puffed and crunchy—an amazing texture addition. Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions over the top for that fresh, nutty crunch and vibrant pop of color.
How to Serve Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
The magic of this dish is in the contrast between textures and flavors, which is why fresh green onions and sesame seeds aren’t just decoration—they add sharp, earthy brightness and subtle nuttiness that elevate every bite.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or fried rice, to soak up every last bit of that luscious honey garlic sauce. Steamed or stir-fried greens such as bok choy or broccoli also complement the dish perfectly by adding a fresh, slightly bitter balance to the sweet glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get fancy, serve this Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe on a platter lined with crispy fried vermicelli noodles for a stunning contrast in texture. Alternatively, pile the saucy chicken into lettuce cups for a refreshing handheld treat that’s also fun to eat. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of extra honey glaze on the side keeps things elegant and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The chicken will stay fairly crispy but the sauce may thicken and soak in, which makes reheating important for the best texture.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange the fried chicken pieces on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for a few days to keep things fresher.
Reheating
Reheat leftover chicken in a hot oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the batter soggy. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating using the same method.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breast works fine but tends to be leaner and can dry out faster. Marinating well and not overcooking will help keep it tender, but chicken thighs naturally give you a juicier and more flavorful result with this recipe.
What can I substitute if I don’t have Chinese cooking wine?
If Chinese cooking wine isn’t handy, light soy sauce is a decent substitute and will maintain the needed saltiness and umami. Just keep in mind the flavor will be a little less complex without the subtle wine notes.
Why is soda water used in the batter?
Cold soda water adds air bubbles that make the batter incredibly light and crispy when fried. Unlike sparkling mineral water, soda water has the perfect level of carbonation and neutrality to achieve that signature crunch in this Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe.
Is it okay to skip the glucose or corn syrup in the sauce?
While glucose or light corn syrup adds shine and thickness, you can omit it if needed. Your honey garlic sauce may be a little less glossy and sticky, but it will still taste delicious and coat the chicken well.
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce and swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your cornflour is pure corn starch without additives. This way, you’ll still get the crispy texture with no compromise on flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about mastering a Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe that’s irresistibly crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and coated in a sauce that sings with sweetness and garlic punch. It’s a dish that feels like a special treat but is surprisingly easy to whip up in your own kitchen. I can’t wait for you to try making it yourself—once you do, this recipe will quickly become one of your absolute favorites to share at any meal!
Print
Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Crispy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs marinated and coated in a light batter, then deep-fried to golden perfection and tossed in a luscious honey garlic sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds, green onions, and optional crispy vermicelli noodles, it’s a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures for an authentic homemade Chinese dish.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 300g (10 oz) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp Chinese cooking wine (or substitute with soy sauce)
- 2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
Batter
- ½ cup cornflour (cornstarch)
- 6 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 4 tbsp plain/all-purpose flour
- 7–8 tbsp cold soda water (club soda or seltzer water; NOT sparkling mineral water)
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp kosher salt (halve if using table salt)
Frying
- 2–3 cups vegetable oil (or canola oil)
Honey Garlic Sauce
- â…“ cup (100g) honey
- 1.5 tbsp (25g) glucose or light corn syrup
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp Chinese cooking wine (or more soy sauce)
Garnish & Optional
- 25g (2 oz) vermicelli rice noodles (optional; use rice noodles, not bean noodles)
- Sesame seeds
- Finely sliced green onions
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and 2 teaspoons of cornflour. Mix thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly and marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse and tenderize the meat.
- Dredge the Chicken: After marinating, dredge each piece of chicken in cornflour, shaking off any excess. This step helps create a crispy outer layer when fried.
- Prepare the Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together ½ cup cornflour, 6 tablespoons cornflour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Gradually add cold soda water while whisking until you achieve a thick but smooth batter suitable for coating the chicken.
- Heat the Oil: Pour 2 to 3 cups of vegetable or canola oil into a deep pan or wok and heat to 350°F (175°C). Proper oil temperature is crucial for crispy frying without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry the Chicken: Dip each marinated chicken piece into the batter, letting excess drip off, then carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding which ensures even cooking. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the chicken fries, combine honey, glucose (or light corn syrup), light soy sauce, and Chinese cooking wine in a small saucepan. Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes syrupy and well blended.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Place the fried chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the warm honey garlic sauce over them. Toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the sticky, flavorful sauce.
- Prepare Vermicelli Noodles (Optional): If using vermicelli rice noodles, deep fry them in hot oil until they puff up and become crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the honey garlic chicken and garnish with sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions. Serve with the crispy vermicelli noodles on the side or sprinkled on top for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Use cold soda water in the batter to achieve a light and crispy texture.
- Maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) ensures the chicken crisps up without becoming greasy.
- If you cannot find glucose or light corn syrup, additional honey can be substituted but glucose helps achieve the right syrupy consistency.
- Vermicelli noodles are optional but provide a delightful crunch if included.
- Cut the chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust salt in the batter according to the saltiness of soy sauce used.
