Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Bites recipe features tender, bite-sized chicken pieces cooked to golden perfection and glazed in a luscious, sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfectly balanced with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and brightness from rice vinegar, this dish comes together quickly for a flavorful weeknight meal served over fluffy cooked rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Serving
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the 2 pounds of bite-sized chicken breast pieces with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook the chicken in the skillet until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Cook Garlic and Thicken Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Pour the prepared honey mixture into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Meanwhile, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Pour this slurry into the simmering sauce and stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Glaze Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss them in the thickened sauce to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the chicken is heated through and well-glazed with the honey garlic sauce.
- Serve: Garnish the chicken bites with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot over cooked rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cut into uniform-sized bite pieces for even cooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- The sauce thickens quickly once the cornstarch slurry is added, so stir continuously to avoid lumps.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control overall saltiness.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
