How to Make Chinese Honey Chicken – Recipe, Tips, and Serving Suggestions
Published: 27 May 2025
Chinese Honey Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that combines the best of sweet and savory flavors. Featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a sticky, rich honey sauce for chicken, this recipe brings the essence of Chinese-inspired chicken straight to your kitchen. The crispy coating stays intact even after being tossed in the sauce, giving you that perfect crunch with every bite.
With simple ingredients like soy sauce in honey chicken, cornstarch, and brown sugar in honey chicken, you can easily recreate this takeout favorite at home. Whether you serve it with steamed rice or fried noodles, Chinese Honey Chicken is sure to become a family favorite!
What is Chinese Honey Chicken?
Chinese Honey Chicken is a dish that blends the crispiness of Chinese fried chicken with the sweetness of honey sauce. The chicken is typically coated in a light crispy batter for chicken, then fried to golden perfection. After frying, it’s tossed in a sticky honey sauce, making it irresistibly sweet. This dish is a favorite in many Chinese restaurants and can be enjoyed with rice or noodles. It combines the flavors of soy sauce and brown sugar in honey chicken, giving it a savory-sweet balance that’s hard to beat.
It’s not considered “authentic” Chinese food but is deeply loved as part of the Chinese cuisine recipes you find in American-Chinese takeout. The dish is simple to make and a perfect choice for home cooks who want to recreate the flavors of a Chinese restaurant in their own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love Chinese Honey Chicken
The reason people love Chinese Honey Chicken is simple: it’s crispy fried chicken coated in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce. The honey coating for chicken creates a shiny, delicious layer that perfectly complements the crunch of the chicken. This dish is also incredibly versatile. You can serve it with fried noodles for honey chicken, steamed rice, or even as a standalone snack. The crispy honey chicken stays crisp even after it’s coated in sauce, giving you the best of both worlds: crunchy and tender.
Another reason to love this dish is that it’s easy to make at home. You don’t need to be an expert to create crispy honey chicken with a delicious sauce. Using simple ingredients like cornstarch for sauce thickening and vegetable oil for frying, you can make this dish as good, if not better, than what you get in restaurants.
Ingredients Needed
To make this dish, you’ll need a few essential ingredients. First, chicken thighs work best because they stay juicy and tender, but you can substitute chicken breasts if preferred. For the batter, you’ll need cornstarch to help create that crispy coating and flour for golden color. You’ll also need egg white in chicken marinade, which binds the flour to the chicken and keeps it crispy. For the sauce, honey, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine substitute, brown sugar, and cornstarch will form the perfect sweet and savory honey sauce for chicken.
It’s also important to use glucose or corn syrup in honey sauce to create that candy-like glaze that sticks to the chicken without making it soggy. These ingredients work together to create the sweet and crunchy sensation that makes honey chicken with crispy fried batter so irresistible.
How to Make Chinese Honey Chicken – Step-by-Step Recipe
Making Chinese Honey Chicken involves a few simple steps. Start by marinating the chicken in soy sauce in honey chicken, Shaoxing wine substitute, and cornstarch for sauce thickening. This will give the chicken flavor and tenderize it. Once marinated, coat the chicken pieces in all-purpose crispy fry batter and fry them until golden brown.
For the sauce, combine honey, brown sugar in honey chicken, and a little vinegar for balance. Simmer the sauce until it thickens, then pour it over the fried chicken. Toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated in the sticky sauce. Serve over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables, and enjoy your delicious homemade Chinese honey chicken.
Pro Tips for Perfecting Your Chinese Honey Chicken
To achieve the best crispy honey chicken, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, ensure that the batter is cold when you dip the chicken in it. The cold batter hitting the hot oil is what makes the chicken extra crispy fried chicken. Additionally, don’t skip the double-fried chicken recipe if you want to take the crispiness to the next level. The first fry cooks the chicken, while the second fry ensures it stays crispy for hours.
Also, avoid overcrowding the frying pan or wok. When the chicken pieces are crowded, they won’t cook evenly, and the batter might become soggy. Keep the oil at a steady temperature—about 325°F for frying—to ensure a perfectly crisp coating.
What to Serve with Chinese Honey Chicken
Chinese Honey Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a traditional touch, serve it over white rice or fried rice. You can also serve it with fried noodles for honey chicken or a side of egg rolls. For a healthier option, serve it with sautéed vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers. This combination balances the sweetness of the chicken and adds more flavor and texture to the meal.
You can also try pairing honey chicken with crispy coating with some stir-fried garlic with honey chicken to intensify the flavors. The garlic adds depth to the sweetness, creating a richer taste profile. A cool drink like iced green tea or a light beer would also complement the meal perfectly.
Leftovers – How to Store and Reheat Chinese Honey Chicken
Leftovers of Chinese Honey Chicken can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure to place the chicken in an airtight container to keep it fresh. To reheat crispy chicken, it’s best to use the oven rather than the microwave, as the microwave will soften the crispy coating. Preheat your oven to 375°F, place the chicken on a baking sheet, and bake for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating.
For the sauce, you can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a bit of water if it has thickened too much. Once heated, toss the chicken back in the sauce to enjoy a meal that tastes freshly made.
Freezing Chinese Honey Chicken – Can You Freeze It?
If you have leftover crispy honey chicken, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To freeze, first let the chicken cool completely, then place it on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer the pieces to a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to freeze the honey chicken sauce separately to avoid sogginess. To reheat, bake the chicken at 375°F for about 15 minutes and heat the sauce separately on the stovetop.
How to Know When Oil is 325°F for Frying
Getting the oil to the right temperature is key for achieving crispy fried chicken. If the oil is too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside but remain raw inside. If it’s too cool, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy. A thermometer is the easiest way to check the oil temperature, but if you don’t have one, you can use the bread cube test. Drop a small piece of bread into the oil and if it turns golden brown in 50 seconds, your oil is at the right temperature of around 325°F for frying.
More Great Asian Recipes to Try
If you love Chinese Honey Chicken, you’ll enjoy other Asian cuisine recipes like General Tso’s Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Sweet and Sour Pork. These dishes also feature crispy coatings, flavorful sauces, and balance between sweet and savory, making them perfect complements to your honey chicken.
FAQs
1. Is honey chicken authentic Chinese food?
No, honey chicken is not considered authentic Chinese food. It’s a Chinese-American dish popular in takeout restaurants.
2. What’s the difference between sesame chicken and honey chicken?
Sesame chicken is typically coated in a sweet sauce with toasted sesame seeds, while honey chicken features a sticky honey sauce without sesame.
3. Is honey chicken similar to orange chicken?
Both are sweet and savory chicken dishes, but orange chicken has a citrusy tang, while honey chicken is sweeter and has a rich honey flavor.
4. Can I substitute cornstarch in Chinese Honey Chicken?
Yes, you can use potato starch or rice flour as alternatives, but cornstarch is typically preferred for its texture and ability to create a crispy coating.
5. How long does honey chicken stay crispy?
When made correctly, honey chicken with crispy coating can stay crispy for up to 4 hours, even after being coated in the honey sauce. The key is in the double fry and the right batter.
Conclusion
Making Chinese Honey Chicken at home is easier than you think. With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can enjoy crispy honey chicken that rivals what you get at your favorite restaurant. This dish is perfect for a family meal or a fun dinner party. Give it a try, and enjoy the sweet and crispy magic that is honey chicken with crispy fried batter!
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- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
