Honey Chicken

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 This honey chicken is crispy pieces of chicken breast that are fried to golden brown perfection, then tossed in a sweet and savory honey sauce. A homemade version of the takeout classic that tastes even better than what you would get at a restaurant!

My family loves when I prepare some of our favorite Asian style dishes at home including pork fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls and this amazingly delicious honey chicken. Add a side of rice and dinner is served!

Whenever I eat at P.F. Chang’s I have to order the honey chicken. I just can’t resist that combination of ultra crispy chicken with sauce! This copycat version is simple to make, and is sure to please the whole family.

HOW DO YOU MAKE HONEY CHICKEN?

The first step is to cook up the chicken. Dip pieces of chicken breast into a seasoned egg mixture, then coat them in a blend of corn starch and flour. Fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Place honey, soy sauce and seasonings in a pan, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in a little corn starch to thicken the sauce. Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the sauce, then top with green onions and enjoy.

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT CHICKEN

  • Be sure to use a frying thermometer so that you can closely monitor the temperature of the oil. If the oil is too hot, the coating can burn before the chicken is cooked through. If the oil is too cold, the chicken will absorb excess grease.
  • This dish is best served immediately as the chicken coating will eventually soften as it soaks up the sauce. If you’d like to have leftovers for another day, plan to store a portion of the crispy chicken separate from the sauce. That way you can reheat the chicken and sauce on their own, and the dish will maintain its flavor and texture.
  • I typically use a basic clover honey for my honey chicken, but other varieties of honey will also work. I recommend using a milder flavor honey so that the flavor of the sauce doesn’t overpower the chicken.
  • Use a neutral flavored oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil or peanut oil.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS

While I love this recipe as written, sometimes I use other ingredients for a different flavor.

  • Protein: Try using pieces of chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer flavor. Another option is to use medium sized shrimp.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to add some cooked vegetables to the chicken and sauce, some good options include broccoli, zucchini or carrots.
  • Spice: Love spicy food? Add some heat to the sauce with sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HONEY CHICKEN

While I often serve this dish over steamed white rice, other great grain options include crispy fried rice noodles, quinoa, brown rice, or a boiled rice or egg noodle. If you’re looking to save a few carbs, try serving your honey chicken over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

You cannot go wrong with this dish – it’s packed with bold flavors and is just as good as anything you’d get at your favorite Asian restaurant!

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