Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken

If you’ve been craving takeout but your wallet (or waistband) says “maybe not tonight,” this Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken is about to be your new kitchen BFF. Golden, sticky-sweet, and with just enough crunch to make your tastebuds dance—it’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug after a long day.

And here’s the kicker: it’s totally doable on a busy weeknight. Whether you’re wrangling kids, answering work emails, or just trying to survive until Friday, this dish offers a shortcut to dinner bliss.

Let’s dive in before someone orders delivery.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken

There’s something magical about Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken—that golden coating, the sweet-savory sauce, and that restaurant-quality flavor you somehow pulled off in pajama pants. Here’s why this dish deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation:

• Crispy meets sticky: The batter fries up just right, giving you that irresistible crunch that holds up beautifully under the glossy honey glaze.
• Easy pantry-friendly ingredients: You likely have most of these items on hand already. If not, they’re all easy to find at your local store.
• Crowd-pleaser approved: Picky eaters? No problem. This sweet, saucy dish has universal kid-and-spouse appeal.
• Faster than takeout: No delivery driver required—this meal’s on the table in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crispy Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for batter)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Honey Sauce:

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (for thickening)

Optional Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

How to Make Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken

1. Make the Batter

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and white pepper. Add in water, egg, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Whisk it up until the batter is smooth and lump-free. It should be thick enough to cling to the chicken but still pourable.

2. Coat the Chicken

Dip those juicy chicken pieces right into the batter, making sure they’re fully coated. This step is messy, but oh-so-worth it. Pro tip: use a fork or tongs if you’re not into batter fingers.

3. Fry Until Golden

Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan or the pieces might steam instead of crisp. Cook each batch for 5-6 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and crunchy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

4. Simmer the Sauce

In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let it simmer on medium heat. Stir in your cornstarch slurry to thicken—it’ll turn that sauce from watery to glorious glaze in about a minute.

5. Toss and Serve

Once the chicken is fried and the sauce is thick and fragrant, toss them together in a large bowl until each piece is coated in sticky, golden perfection. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for that final flourish. Serve over steamed rice or jasmine rice, and prepare for happy faces around the table.

Cooking Tips from My Kitchen

• Don’t skip the cornstarch in the batter—it’s the secret to that ultra-light, crispy coating that holds up even under sauce.
• Let the oil get hot enough. If your oil isn’t at 350°F, the chicken will absorb too much oil and turn soggy. A kitchen thermometer is your friend here.
• Need it gluten-free? Try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Add extra crunch by tossing in some toasted cashews or peanuts before serving!

A Quick Story from My Table

I first made this dish on a Sunday when I really didn’t want to go out or cook anything too involved. I was craving something comforting, crunchy, and takeout-esque—and wow, did this hit the spot. My kids asked for seconds (and thirds), and my husband said it was “better than Panda Express.” Flattery will get him everywhere.

FAQs About Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken

Conclusion

This Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken recipe brings bold flavor and comforting crunch straight to your table—without the delivery fee or the MSG. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just treating yourself after a long day, it’s a feel-good dinner that tastes like a win.

Now go ahead—grab those chopsticks (or let’s be honest, a fork) and dig in.

Discover More Delicious Chicken Magic

If you loved this Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken, there’s a whole world of flavor-packed dishes waiting for you here at Chicken Magic Recipes. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, spicy, or ultra-comforting, these recipes are the perfect next step in your kitchen adventure:

• Craving something similar with a hint of heat and a takeout twist? Don’t miss the Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Breast—it’s sticky, saucy, and absolutely crave-worthy.
• If you’re looking to turn up the heat, give our bold and fiery Spicy Ginger Chicken Recipe a try—it brings the perfect balance of spice and zest.
• For a cozy dinner idea that delivers both comfort and flavor, try the sweet-meets-smoky goodness of Honey Butter Chicken—perfect for a relaxing night in.
• And if you’re a fan of sweet and spicy combos (who isn’t?), our Sweet and Spicy Sticky Chicken is another winner that’s sure to steal the spotlight at dinnertime.

No matter your mood or taste, there’s always something magical cooking here.

Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken

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• Author: Aneta
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken is better than takeout! Golden-fried chicken bites are tossed in a sticky, sweet-savory honey sauce and served over rice for the perfect quick and crowd-pleasing dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for batter)

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Honey Sauce:

• 1/3 cup honey

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds

• Chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Make the Batter:
   In a large bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and white pepper. Whisk in water, egg, and 2 tablespoons of oil until smooth.

2. Coat the Chicken:
   Add chicken pieces to the batter and toss to coat evenly.

3. Fry the Chicken:
   Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 5–6 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

4. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.

5. Toss and Serve:
   Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over steamed rice.

Notes

• Don’t overcrowd the frying pan—work in batches for max crispiness.

• You can use boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness.

• Add red pepper flakes to taste if you like a little heat.

• Leftovers? Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying , stovetop
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg