Description
This Easy 20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfectly pan-fried to achieve crispy skin and a luscious glaze, this dish is quick to prepare and ideal for a busy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs (or substitute with boneless skinless thighs)
- 2 tsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup, brown sugar, light corn syrup if allergic to honey)
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch/tapioca starch)
Instructions
- Debone the chicken: Turn the chicken thighs bone side up and make small slits around the bone with a sharp paring knife until you can carefully remove it.
- Pat dry: Use a clean paper towel to dry the chicken pieces thoroughly on both sides to ensure crispiness when frying.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and garlic powder evenly on both sides of the chicken thighs. Set aside.
- Prepare the honey garlic sauce: In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, honey, cold water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Place chicken skin side down and fry until skin is golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for about 2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F or juices run clear.
- Glaze with sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Pour the honey garlic sauce around the chicken, allowing it to thicken and coat the chicken. Flip the chicken so skin side is down for 15 seconds to absorb the sauce, then flip back.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped green onions. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, slice into smaller pieces as desired, and enjoy your flavorful meal!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless skinless thighs for quicker cooking.
- Adjust sweetness by using maple syrup, brown sugar, or light corn syrup if allergic to honey.
- Use a digital thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- For extra crispiness, pat the chicken bone dry before seasoning and frying.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
