If you’re craving a restaurant-quality dinner that’s simple to make at home, Asian Style Honey Garlic Chicken is the perfect choice.
This dish combines tender bite-size chicken pieces with a glossy honey garlic sauce that balances sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
The sauce is rich with garlic, sweetened with honey, and deepened with soy sauce for classic Asian-inspired flavor.
A touch of Sriracha adds gentle heat, while cornstarch helps create that irresistible thick, silky glaze.
The best part?
This recipe is fast enough for a busy weeknight yet impressive enough for guests.
Serve it over steamed rice with sesame seeds and green onions for a complete meal that rivals your favorite takeout.
Why You’ll Love This Asian Style Honey Garlic Chicken
There are many reasons this recipe has become a household favorite. It’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile.
First, the ingredients are pantry staples that many home cooks already have on hand. If you’re building a well-stocked kitchen, this Pantry Essentials Guide can help you keep key cooking ingredients ready at all times.
Together, these pantry ingredients—soy sauce, honey, garlic, and cornstarch—create a rich, flavorful sauce that gives this Asian Style Honey Garlic
Chicken its signature sweet and savory glaze. The result is tender chicken coated in a glossy sauce that pairs perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.
Another reason people love this dish is its flexibility. You can easily adjust the spice level, sweetness, or even swap ingredients to suit dietary preferences.
If you enjoy Asian-inspired chicken dishes, you may also want to try this delicious Asian Style Sticky Chicken recipe.
It delivers a similar sweet and savory flavor profile with its own unique twist.
Ingredients for Asian Style Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe uses simple ingredients that create bold flavor when combined.
For the Chicken
2 to 2½ pounds chicken breast (2 large or 4 medium boneless, skinless), cut into 1-inch pieces ½ cup cornstarch
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
1 cup filtered water
⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free soy sauce)
⅓ cup honey (add more to taste if desired)
1 to 2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce (adjust for spice level)
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
For Garnishing
Sesame seeds, chopped green onions
Need a substitution? View our kitchen swaps reference guide for smart, flavor-forward ingredient swaps — covering aromatics, pantry staples, dairy, proteins, and more.
How to Make Asian Style Honey Garlic Chicken
This dish comes together in just a few simple steps.
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat combine the water, soy sauce, honey, sriracha and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally.
In a small dish, stir together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until fully dissolved. This mixture is called a slurry and helps thicken the sauce.
Slowly pour the slurry into the boiling sauce while stirring continuously. The sauce will begin to thicken within a minute or two.
Reduce the heat to low and keep the sauce warm while you cook the chicken.
Coat the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces into a large zip-top bag.
Sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken, seal the bag, and toss until each piece is evenly coated. This coating helps create a lightly crisp exterior and allows the sauce to cling beautifully.
Cook the Chicken
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat the bottom with cooking oil.
Add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can cause the chicken to steam instead of brown. If necessary, cook in batches or use two skillets.
Sauté the chicken for several minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Combine Chicken and Sauce
Once the chicken is fully cooked, turn off the heat.
Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken and stir gently to coat every piece.
Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish and Serve
Serve the chicken over steamed white rice for a classic presentation.
Top with sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions for extra flavor and color.
Tips for Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken
A few helpful techniques can elevate this dish from good to exceptional.
Use Fresh Garlic
Freshly minced garlic provides a stronger aroma and richer flavor than pre-minced versions.
Cook the Chicken in Batches
Overcrowding the pan prevents proper browning. Cooking in batches allows the chicken to develop a lightly crisp texture.
Balance the Sauce
Taste the sauce before serving. If you prefer sweeter flavor, add a bit more honey. For extra heat, increase the Sriracha slightly.
Culinary Guides: Essential Cooking Techniques, How-To’s & Ingredient Tips
For more helpful cooking techniques and ingredient tips, explore our culinary resource library – Culinary Guides: Essential Cooking Techniques, How-To’s & Ingredient Tips.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with many side dishes.
Instant Pot Brown Rice
The most popular option is steamed jasmine or white rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce.
Brown rice is also a great choice if you prefer whole grains, and making a batch of Instant Pot Brown Rice is an easy way to add a hearty whole-grain option to your meal.
Asian Style Broccoli & Pork Fried Rice
If you’re looking for another easy recipe to add to your weekly rotation, you might also enjoy this flavorful dish Asian Style Broccoli & Pork Fried Rice that pairs well with many Asian-inspired meals.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftovers store well and make excellent meal prep.
Refrigeration
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from thickening too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and often produce juicier results.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be. Simply substitute regular soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Yes. The sauce in Asian Style Honey Garlic Chicken is very easy to customize.
You can increase the Sriracha for more heat, add extra honey for sweetness, or include ingredients like ginger or chili flakes for additional depth.
If you enjoy experimenting with seasonings, this helpful Spices & Flavors Guide can give you ideas on how different spices and flavor combinations can enhance your cooking.
Why is cornstarch used on the chicken?
Cornstarch creates a light coating that helps the chicken brown and allows the sauce to cling better.
Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes. Broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots all work well with the honey garlic sauce.
What rice works best with this recipe?
Steamed jasmine rice is the most traditional choice, but brown rice or even cauliflower rice can also be used.
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Yummy!
Thank you!!
My pleasure. 🙂