Sticky Honey Chicken

The honey glaze caramelizes beautifully as the chicken cooks, creating a mouthwatering shine that’s simply irresistible. It’s a delightful dance of sweet and savory, with each bite offering a satisfying balance of honey’s natural sweetness and the rich depth of soy sauce. The aroma that fills the kitchen as the chicken sizzles in the pan is enough to make your stomach rumble in anticipation. You can almost taste the golden, sticky goodness before you even take your first bite!

What I love most about this dish is how it brings together the simplest ingredients—honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a little bit of heat—yet results in something incredibly flavorful. The garlic gives it a savory punch, while the honey softens the sharpness and infuses the chicken with a luscious, glaze-like coat. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself sneaking little tastes of that sauce as it simmers, each spoonful more addicting than the last.

And let’s not forget about that crispy, golden exterior! As the sauce reduces, it clings to the chicken, creating a perfect caramelized crust that contrasts with the tender, juicy meat inside. The first bite is a glorious combination of textures and flavors, and the best part? This sticky honey chicken is one of those dishes that gets better with every bite, leaving you craving more long after the plate is empty. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’re spoiling yourself—even though it’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

Key Ingredients in Sticky Honey Chicken

This dish relies on a few pantry staples that work together to create that irresistible sweet-savory balance. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this sticky honey chicken so special:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

  The star of the dish! Chicken breasts provide the perfect lean meat that soaks up the flavorful glaze while staying juicy and tender. Their neutral flavor allows the sauce to shine.

• All-Purpose Flour

  A light dusting of flour helps give the chicken that crispy, golden exterior. It also thickens the sauce slightly as it simmers, adding to the overall texture.

• Salt

  Essential for balancing the sweetness of the honey and enhancing the overall flavor profile. It helps all the flavors pop without overpowering the dish.

• Black Pepper

  Adds a subtle warmth and a hint of spice that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the honey. Just a pinch brings it all together.

• Garlic Powder

  A savory staple in many dishes, garlic powder infuses the chicken with a deliciously fragrant depth of flavor without being too overpowering.

• Onion Powder

  Like garlic powder, onion powder adds another layer of savory goodness that complements the honey and soy sauce, deepening the flavor of the dish.

• Olive Oil

  Used to pan-fry the chicken, olive oil provides a healthy base for cooking while helping to achieve that golden-brown crispy exterior.

• Soy Sauce

  The savory backbone of the sauce, soy sauce introduces a rich umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey and helps create that perfect glaze.

• Honey

  The star of the glaze! Honey’s natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully, creating a rich, sticky coating that’s both sweet and savory—exactly what you want in sticky honey chicken.

• Rice Vinegar

  A touch of acidity from rice vinegar cuts through the sweetness and adds brightness to the overall flavor, bringing everything into harmony.

• Cornstarch

  This thickener helps the sauce cling to the chicken, giving it that luscious, sticky consistency we all love.

• Water

  Used to dissolve the cornstarch and help create a smooth sauce that doesn’t become too thick or clumpy. It also helps to loosen up the soy sauce and honey mixture for better distribution.

• Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

  A little kick of heat to balance the sweetness. If you love a bit of spice, these flakes add a wonderful contrast to the sauce without taking over the dish.

• Sesame Seeds (Optional)

  Toasted sesame seeds add a slight crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the rich sauce, plus they make the dish look extra special.

• Green Onions (Optional)

  Fresh, vibrant green onions bring a pop of color and a mild, zesty flavor that cuts through the richness of the dish. They make the meal feel fresh and light.

How to Make Sticky Honey Chicken

Serving Suggestions for Sticky Honey Chicken

Over Steamed Jasmine Rice
There’s something magical about pairing sticky honey chicken with fluffy, aromatic jasmine rice. The rice soaks up all that luscious sauce, making every bite a delightful mix of sweetness and savory goodness. It’s the kind of comforting combo that feels like a warm hug on your plate.

With Crispy Roasted Vegetables
Add a touch of crunch and color by serving your chicken alongside roasted vegetables. Carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli are my personal favorites—tossed in olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and roasted until crispy. The veggies’ slight char perfectly complements the rich, sticky chicken, creating a beautiful contrast of textures and flavors.

On a Bed of Sautéed Greens
For a lighter twist, place your honey chicken on a bed of sautéed greens like spinach or bok choy. The earthy flavors of the greens balance the richness of the chicken, and the slight bitterness of the greens helps cut through the sweetness, making every bite feel balanced and fresh. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra veggies!

How to Store Sticky Honey Chicken

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), storing your sticky honey chicken is easy, and it’ll taste just as good the next day. The best way to keep it fresh is by placing the chicken in an airtight container. Make sure to pour any remaining sauce over the chicken to keep it moist, and it will help the flavors infuse even more overnight. I always try to let it cool to room temperature before sealing it up, so the chicken doesn’t sweat and get soggy in the container.

For longer storage, you can freeze the sticky honey chicken, and believe me, it holds up surprisingly well. Just make sure the chicken is cooled completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply defrost it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stove over low heat, adding a little extra sauce to keep everything nice and juicy.

If you’re storing the chicken for just a day or two, keeping it in the fridge is perfectly fine. You’ll want to enjoy it within 3 days for the best flavor and texture. The sauce will thicken a bit in the fridge, but you can always reheat it gently on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. Trust me, the sticky honey goodness will still be there, ready to satisfy your cravings.

Conclusion

And there you have it—sticky honey chicken that’s every bit as delicious as it sounds! This dish is a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and just a touch of spice, with flavors that will have you coming back for more. The crispy, caramelized chicken paired with that irresistible honey glaze is simply unforgettable. Whether you’re making it for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress.

I hope you give it a try and fall in love with it just as much as I have. If you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Have any tweaks you’ve made to the recipe, or questions along the way? I’m always here for a chat—whether it’s about cooking or how to get that glaze just right. Let me know how it goes!

Print Recipe

Sticky Honey Chicken

Author: Emily Roberts Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 45 mins

Calories: 350

Description

Tender, juicy chicken glazed in a golden, velvety honey sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and savory depth. Crispy edges and a mouthwatering, sticky finish make every bite irresistibly delicious and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

• ¹⁄₄ cup all-purpose flour

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon black pepper

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce

• ¹⁄₄ cup honey

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons water

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

• ¹⁄₄ cup green onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
2. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper, then gently pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are an even thickness, about 1/2 inch thick.
3. In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir the ingredients together to ensure they are evenly mixed.
4. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, coating both sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour before setting the chicken aside on a plate.
5. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the coated chicken breasts to the skillet.
6. Cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
7. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate, leaving the excess oil in the pan.
8. In the same skillet, add the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
9. While the sauce is simmering, dissolve the cornstarch in the water in a small bowl, stirring until smooth.
10. Once the soy sauce mixture is simmering, pour in the cornstarch mixture and continue stirring. Let the sauce cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens to a syrup-like consistency.
11. If you are using red pepper flakes, add them to the sauce now, stirring to incorporate them into the mixture.
12. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, turning them to coat in the sauce completely. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
13. Once the chicken is coated and the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat.
14. Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Spoon some of the sauce from the skillet over the top of each piece of chicken.
15. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes to allow the chicken to fully cook through and the sauce to become sticky.
16. Remove the chicken from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and garnish.
17. Serve the sticky honey chicken hot, either over rice or with your favorite side dish, and drizzle any remaining sauce from the baking dish over the chicken before serving.

Note

• Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures it cooks uniformly and absorbs the sauce better.
• If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, you can adjust the honey to taste or add a splash more rice vinegar for extra tanginess.
• For a crispy exterior, try coating the chicken with a thin layer of breadcrumbs after dredging in the flour mixture.
• If you don't have rice vinegar, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, though the flavor might differ slightly.
• For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the sauce mixture.

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