Make this easy sticky honey garlic chicken with juicy chicken coated in a sweet, savory, and garlicky glaze. A quick family dinner ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water, optional
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Make the sauce: Mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and vinegar in a small bowl.
- Add the glaze: Reduce the heat to medium and pour the sauce over the chicken. Stir well and let it simmer for 2–4 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and sticky.
- Make it extra thick: If you want a thicker glaze, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the skillet. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
- Serve: Remove from the heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
What to Serve With Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken
This chicken is delicious with:
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Fried rice
- Noodles
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed broccoli
- Cucumber salad
Helpful Tips
Don’t burn the garlic. Add the sauce after the chicken has browned and reduce the heat so the honey doesn’t scorch.
Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness. Chicken breasts work beautifully too, but avoid overcooking them.
Want more heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little sriracha to the sauce.
For meal prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently until hot.
The result is tender chicken coated in a shiny, caramelized honey-garlic glaze—sweet, savory, slightly tangy, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.