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Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe

Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Tender bite-size chicken is lightly coated, pan-seared until golden, and tossed in a glossy honey garlic sauce. It is a fast appetizer that tastes special enough for entertaining but is simple enough for a weeknight.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1½ pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon Neutral cooking oil, such as avocado, canola, or vegetable oil
Honey Garlic Sauce
  • ⅓ cup Honey
  • ¼ cup Low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 cloves Garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar or fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh ginger, grated
  • ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
Garnish
  • as needed Sliced green onions
  • as needed Toasted sesame seeds

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Pat the chicken dry and cut it into evenly sized 1-inch pieces. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, then toss with cornstarch until each piece has a thin, even coating.
  2. Whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar or lemon juice, grated ginger if using, and red pepper flakes if using. Set the sauce aside before starting to sear the chicken.
  3. Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the prepared honey garlic sauce into the skillet. Toss the chicken continuously or frequently as the sauce simmers for 2–3 minutes, until glossy and slightly thickened.
  5. Check the thickest chicken pieces with an instant-read thermometer and confirm they reach 165°F (74°C). Transfer the bites to a serving dish, add green onions and toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately with toothpicks.

Notes

Do not crowd the skillet, because chicken cooks more evenly and browns better in batches. Add the honey sauce only after the chicken has browned and simmer it briefly so the honey does not scorch. Chicken thighs stay especially juicy, while chicken breast offers a leaner, firmer bite.