Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken Recipe | Easy Weeknight Dinner

Introduction

Discover how remarkably simple it is to recreate restaurant style Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken right in your own kitchen. The irresistible blend of crunchy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and sticky honey glaze is sure to win the hearts (and taste buds) of anyone at the table. Perfect for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish brings comfort, flavor, and golden crunch to your plate—without takeout menus or waiting times.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken

This recipe delivers on all fronts: succulent chicken encased in a light, crispy batter and tossed with a delicious honey sauce that’s both sweet and savory. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by a luscious, glossy glaze, making this meal a guaranteed family favorite. Plus, it’s simpler than you might think—no special equipment or obscure ingredients required.

Perfecting the Honey Sauce

The signature honey sauce strikes the ideal balance of sweetness, tang, and umami. By simmering honey with a splash of soy sauce, a touch of rice vinegar, and a hint of garlic, you create a glaze that perfectly clings to every crispy bite. For extra depth, add a pinch of chili flakes for a gentle kick or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for toasty notes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Chicken

The secret to extra-crispy chicken is a simple cornstarch flour coating and fast frying over medium-high heat. Make sure your chicken pieces are similar in size for even cooking, and always let them drain briefly on a wire rack or paper towel to preserve their crunch before tossing in sauce.

Serving Suggestions for a Restaurant-Style Experience

Serve your honey chicken over a bed of steamed jasmine rice, alongside stir-fried broccoli or sautéed bok choy. Sprinkle with sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for a finishing touch. This colorful presentation makes your meal look and taste like an authentic Chinese restaurant dish, right at home!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 servings. Each serving contains approximately 400-500 calories, depending on the amount of oil absorbed during frying and your chosen sauce additions. The dish also offers a satisfying protein boost and pairs well with a side of vegetables for a balanced meal.

Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken In Review

Golden, juicy chicken, a sweet-savory honey sauce, and just a handful of ingredients—this recipe is a stand-out for any meal, especially those busy weeknights. Enjoy takeout flavors at home, made easy and incredibly satisfying.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, beat eggs.
2. Dip each chicken piece first in egg, then dredge in the flour-cornstarch mixture until well coated. Set aside on a plate.
3. Heat 1-2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot (350°F), fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, for 4–5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
4. For the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, garlic, and (if using) chili flakes. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
5. Mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with a tablespoon of water, stir into sauce, and cook for 1–2 minutes more until thickened and glossy.
6. Toss the hot fried chicken pieces with the honey sauce in a large bowl until evenly coated. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Make weeknight dinners easier and more enjoyable by planning ahead! Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly meal plan—CookifyAI helps you build a menu, calculate total ingredient amounts, and generate smart, organized shopping lists in seconds.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically adds all needed ingredients to your grocery list
• Consolidates items across recipes to avoid duplicates
• Sorts your shopping list by store section for quick, stress-free trips
• Helps balance your meals throughout the week

Pro tip: Planning multiple meals like stir-fry, fried rice, or dumplings? Schedule your recipes and let CookifyAI instantly calculate how much chicken, eggs, or other shared ingredients you really need, making grocery shopping and prep a breeze.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Enjoy your homemade crispy Chinese honey chicken—an easy weeknight dinner that’s sure to become a regular favorite!