These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner! Imagine tender, juicy chicken pieces coated in a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce with a hint of spice. This recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, making it a fantastic option when you’re short on time but still crave a delicious and satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe comes together in a flash with minimal ingredients and simple steps.
- Flavorful and Aromatic: The combination of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of spice creates a delicious and aromatic sauce that complements the chicken perfectly.
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup! Everything cooks together in one skillet, saving you time and effort.
- Versatile: Serve these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with your favorite sides, such as rice, noodles, or vegetables. They’re also great for meal prepping or adding to salads and wraps.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Used to cook the chicken.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
- Salt and pepper: Season the chicken to perfection.
- Garlic: Minced and adds a fragrant and savory punch to the sauce.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and creates a delicious glaze.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Provides a salty and umami flavor.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy and acidic element to the sauce.
- Onion powder: Adds a subtle onion flavor.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a spicy kick (adjust to your preference).
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce.
- Water: Used to make a slurry with the cornstarch.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped and adds a pop of color and fresh flavor as a garnish.
Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and no longer pink in the middle, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
Step 3: Cook the Garlic and Thicken the Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Pour the honey mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to ensure the chicken is heated through. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately over cooked rice or your favorite sides.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Cut the chicken uniformly: Ensure your chicken pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Adjust the spice level: Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking.
- Use fresh garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more potent and flavorful sauce compared to garlic powder.
- Don’t overcook the sauce: Keep a close eye on the sauce as it simmers to avoid it becoming too thick or burning.
- Garnish with your favorites: Besides parsley, you can garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an extra pop of color and flavor.
How to Serve
These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are delicious with a variety of sides:
- Rice: Steamed white or brown rice is a classic pairing for this dish.
- Noodles: Toss the chicken and sauce with your favorite noodles, such as ramen, udon, or soba noodles.
- Vegetables: Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or asparagus.
Make Ahead and Storage
These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers for later.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes, you can! Chicken thighs are more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts, so they’re a great option for this recipe.
2. Can I make this recipe without the cornstarch slurry? Yes, you can! The cornstarch slurry is used to thicken the sauce, but you can omit it if you prefer a thinner sauce.
3. Can I add other seasonings to the sauce? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings, such as ground ginger, black pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
4. Can I make this recipe in the oven? Yes, you can! Simply bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400ยฐF for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Then, toss with the prepared sauce and broil for a few minutes to thicken the sauce and caramelize the honey.
This Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal. With its simple preparation, versatile serving options, and customizable flavors, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
PrintHoney 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
Description
These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor! Tender chicken is coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze with a hint of spice. It’s a simple and satisfying dish that’s perfect for serving over rice or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook Garlic and Thicken Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Cook until fragrant. Pour in the honey mixture and bring to a simmer. Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Pour the slurry into the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Glaze Chicken: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Cook until heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over cooked rice.
Notes
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Watch the sauce carefully to prevent burning or over-thickening.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions for added flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ยฝ pound chicken with sauce and ยฝ cup rice
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
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