Get ready to fall in love with Honey Garlic Chicken Bites! These golden, tender bites are tossed in a sweet, sticky, and garlicky sauce that hits every single craving. Each piece is perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy inside, coated in a glossy glaze that’s utterly irresistible. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or looking for a fun appetizer, this dish delivers big flavor with simple ingredients and minimal fuss. Trust me, Honey Garlic Chicken Bites will be your new favorite way to transform humble chicken into something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Honey Garlic Chicken Bites is in their simplicity—just a handful of kitchen staples come together to make magic. Every ingredient plays a starring role, from the chicken that soaks up all that sticky sauce to the fresh garlic that brings everything to life. Here’s what you need, plus a few tips to make each one shine.
- Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless pieces for easy prep and quick cooking; thighs can be swapped in for extra juiciness.
- All-purpose flour: This light coating helps the chicken get that beautiful golden crust while keeping it tender inside.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances every flavor in the dish, so don’t skip it!
- Black pepper: Gives the chicken a subtle, savory warmth that pairs perfectly with the sweet sauce.
- Olive oil: For searing the chicken to golden perfection and adding a touch of richness.
- Honey: The star of the sauce, it brings natural sweetness and creates that signature glossy glaze.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Adds depth and umami without making things too salty—perfect balance is key.
- Garlic cloves: Freshly minced for bold, aromatic flavor that infuses every bite.
- Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar: Just a splash brightens up the whole dish and cuts through the sweetness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a little heat, sprinkle these in to wake up your taste buds.
- Cornstarch + water (slurry): This simple mix thickens the sauce to that luscious, sticky consistency we all adore.
- Sliced green onions & sesame seeds (optional): For a pop of color and a bit of crunch at the very end—totally worth it!
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
Start by tossing your bite-sized chicken pieces in a blend of flour, salt, and pepper. This quick coating not only helps the chicken brown beautifully but also gives it just the right amount of texture. Make sure every piece is evenly dusted—this is the secret to those irresistible, golden edges that soak up the sauce.
Step 2: Sear to Golden Perfection
Heat up your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, giving each piece plenty of space to crisp up. Let them cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they’re gorgeously browned and cooked all the way through. The kitchen will start to smell amazing at this point!
Step 3: Whisk Up the Sauce
While the chicken sizzles, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if you like a little kick) in a small bowl. This simple sauce packs a ton of flavor and comes together in seconds. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of tang.
Step 4: Simmer and Glaze
Once your chicken is golden and cooked, lower the heat to medium-low and pour the honey garlic sauce right over the top. Stir to coat each piece, then let it all simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the chicken soak up every drop of that delicious sauce.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Now for the finishing touch: add your cornstarch slurry and stir continuously. In about a minute or two, the sauce will thicken up and become beautifully sticky, clinging to each chicken bite. This is the moment when Honey Garlic Chicken Bites become truly irresistible!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Take the skillet off the heat and, if you like, sprinkle on some sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh finish. Serve your Honey Garlic Chicken Bites hot and watch them disappear in no time!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Garnishes
A handful of sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds add a lovely finishing touch to Honey Garlic Chicken Bites. These simple garnishes bring a pop of color, a bit of crunch, and a little freshness to each mouthful. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a few chopped cilantro leaves or a squeeze of lime for even more brightness.
Side Dishes
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are delicious over a fluffy bed of steamed rice or tossed with noodles to soak up all that extra sauce. For a lighter option, serve them alongside stir-fried or roasted veggies like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers. Even a simple green salad makes a great, refreshing counterpoint to the sweet-savory glaze!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving Honey Garlic Chicken Bites at a party, try skewering them with toothpicks for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Or stuff them into lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held meal. You can even tuck them into warm bao buns with pickled veggies for an Asian-inspired twist that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Bites keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making them just as delicious the next day! Just be sure to cool them completely before storing to maintain the best texture.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, let the chicken bites cool, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the chicken bites in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave them, but the skillet method keeps the texture closest to freshly cooked. Either way, they’ll taste just as sticky, sweet, and satisfying as day one!
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic swap for breasts—they’re a bit juicier and just as delicious. Just trim any excess fat before cutting them into bite-sized pieces, and follow the recipe as written.
How can I make this gluten-free?
No problem—just use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour, and substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce. The result will be just as tasty and totally safe for gluten-sensitive friends and family.
Is there a way to make this dish spicier?
Definitely! The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle heat, but if you want more kick, simply increase the amount or even add a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce. Taste as you go until you reach your perfect spice level.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are perfect for parties and gatherings. Just double all the ingredients and cook the chicken in batches to make sure every piece gets that golden crust. Keep the first batch warm in a low oven while you finish the rest.
What’s the best way to serve these for meal prep?
They’re fantastic for meal prep! Portion the chicken and sauce into containers with rice or noodles and your favorite veggies. They reheat beautifully and make lunch or dinner a total treat all week long.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and undeniably comforting, give these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites a try. They’re easy enough for busy nights but special enough to share, and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. Don’t be surprised if they become a regular request at your table!
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients for a flavorful Asian-inspired meal that can be served over rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Garnish (Optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with flour, salt, and black pepper until they are evenly coated. This step helps create a light crust when cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Place the coated chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice or apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
- Combine and Simmer: Once the chicken is cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the prepared sauce over the chicken pieces. Stir to coat all pieces evenly, allowing the sauce to simmer for 2–3 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Thicken the Sauce: Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and stir continuously for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and optionally garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the chicken bites hot over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra juiciness, substitute boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or omitting the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
