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Sticky Honey Chicken: A Sweet and Savory Delight for Beginner Cooks

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Busy weeknights call for quick and flavorful meals, and this Sticky Honey Chicken is the perfect solution. Tender chicken coated in a rich, sweet, and savory honey glaze – it’s a dish that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. Imagine juicy chicken glistening with a sticky honey sauce, infused with garlic and ginger, and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. It’s a feast for the senses, perfect for any weeknight dinner. This easy recipe is ideal for beginner cooks, requiring minimal ingredients and delivering maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 500g (1 lb) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

For the Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water

For Garnish:

  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  1. Toss with Cornstarch and Seasoning: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. The cornstarch helps the chicken brown nicely and also helps to thicken the sauce later. Make sure the chicken is well coated to ensure even browning.

Cook the Chicken:

  1. Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot before you add the chicken.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked. Cook the chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C). This is important for food safety.
  3. Set Aside: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

Make the Sauce:

  1. Reduce Heat: Reduce the heat to medium.
  2. Combine Sauce Ingredients: In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil (if using), garlic, and ginger (if using).
  3. Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a simmer. Then, stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water). Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes. The sauce will thicken quickly once the cornstarch slurry is added. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit more water to thin it out.

Combine Chicken and Sauce:

  1. Add Chicken to Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly in the sticky honey sauce.
  2. Heat Through: Let the chicken heat through in the sauce for 2-3 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together.

Serve and Garnish:

  1. Serve: Transfer the Sticky Honey Chicken to a serving plate.
  2. Garnish: Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. These add a finishing touch to the dish.

Notes

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken.
  • Ensure chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
  • Adjust sauce thickness by adding water or simmering longer.
  • Get creative with garnishes (e.g., red pepper flakes).

Find it online: https://susanrecipes.com/sticky-honey-chicken-a-sweet-and-savory-delight-for-beginner-cooks/