Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet and Spicy: The combination of hot honey and soy sauce creates a bold, flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the crispy chicken.
Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight or a quick weekend dinner.
Versatile: Serve the chicken as is, or stir-fry your favorite veggies in the sauce for a one-pan meal.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 lb chicken breast (cut into cubes)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons hot honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter or sesame oil)
Chopped scallions (for garnish)
Cooked rice (for serving)

Directions

Season the Chicken: Season the cubed chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
Coat the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the seasoned chicken with cornstarch. If the chicken absorbs all the cornstarch, add 1-2 more tablespoons to achieve a light dusting of cornstarch.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the hot honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and lime juice. Mix well, ensuring the honey is fully incorporated and not stuck at the bottom.
Cook the Chicken: Preheat a large skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil (or butter or sesame oil) to the skillet. Add the chicken and cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, undisturbed, to allow the chicken to get golden brown. Flip the chicken and stir-fry until it is fully cooked and golden brown on all sides.
Add the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, add the soy honey sauce to the skillet and stir-fry for another minute to combine and coat the chicken.
Simmer the Sauce: For a thicker sauce, lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
Serve: Serve the hot honey chicken over rice, garnishing with chopped scallions and an extra drizzle of hot honey for added sweetness and heat.
Optional Veggie Stir-Fry: If you’d like to stir-fry some vegetables in the sauce, add them to the skillet after cooking the chicken. Stir-fry the veggies in the sauce until tender, then serve as desired.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes

Variations

Add Vegetables: Stir-fry some bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, or carrots along with the chicken for a more balanced dish.
Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of hot honey, or use regular honey instead.
Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version of the dish.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat for best results, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes, chicken thighs will work great in this recipe, adding more flavor and tenderness.

What kind of hot honey should I use?

You can use store-bought hot honey or make your own by mixing honey with a little bit of chili flakes or hot sauce.

Can I make this recipe without cornstarch?

While cornstarch gives the chicken a crispy coating, you can skip it, though the chicken will be less crispy. You can also try using flour as an alternative.

Can I stir-fry vegetables with the chicken?

Yes, adding vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and broccoli during the cooking process will give you a more complete meal. Just cook them in the sauce after the chicken is done.

Can I make this dish in advance?

While the chicken is best fresh, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time and cook it just before serving.

What can I serve with Hot Honey Chicken?

Serve this dish with rice, noodles, or even a side of crispy potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.

Can I use a different type of oil?

Yes, you can use sesame oil, vegetable oil, or even butter for different flavor profiles.

Is this recipe spicy?

Yes, the hot honey adds some heat, but you can adjust the spiciness by reducing the amount of hot honey or using regular honey.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when fully cooked.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version of this dish.

Conclusion

Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Whether you serve it over rice, stir-fry veggies in the sauce, or enjoy it as a standalone dish, it’s sure to be a hit. Quick, easy, and incredibly delicious, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to spice up their dinner routine.

Hot Honey Chicken

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Author: Julia
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Hot Honey Chicken is a delicious blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The crispy chicken is coated in a hot honey, soy sauce, and garlic sauce, offering the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy dish is perfect for weeknight dinners and pairs beautifully with rice or stir-fried veggies.

Instructions

Season the Chicken: Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper.
Coat the Chicken: Toss the chicken with cornstarch to lightly coat.
Make the Sauce: Mix hot honey, soy sauce, garlic, and lime juice in a bowl.
Cook the Chicken: Preheat a skillet with olive oil (or butter/sesame oil) over high heat. Cook the chicken, undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown and fully cooked.
Add the Sauce: Pour the honey soy sauce into the skillet and stir for 1 minute to coat the chicken.
Simmer the Sauce: Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken.
Serve: Serve over rice, garnish with scallions, and add an extra drizzle of hot honey if desired.
Optional Veggie Stir-Fry: Add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli to the skillet after cooking the chicken and stir-fry in the sauce for a one-pan meal.

Notes

Add Vegetables: Feel free to stir-fry bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas with the chicken for a more balanced meal.
Adjust Spice Level: Use less hot honey or regular honey for a milder flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American