One spring day, I painted the neighborhood fence with my granddaughter, her small hand clutching mine. As the sun dipped below the rooftops, she paused and asked for something sweet but not candy.
I remembered the honey chicken my husband always ordered on date nights decades ago—a dish tender, golden, and drizzled with that sticky-sweet sauce. Back in the kitchen, I marinated bite-sized chicken in honey, garlic, soy, and zing from fresh ginger, thinking of that laughter-filled evening years ago.
The skillet sizzled as I seared the chicken pieces to amber perfection. The aroma brought my retired teaching self right back to our school cafeteria days, when I’d cook for potlucks and enjoy every curious comment from students. Tonight, that warm memory lives again in the kitchen, mirrored in my granddaughter’s bright eyes as she asked if she could stir the glossy sauce.
Once everything was glossy and fragrant, we plated it over rice and topped it with sesame seeds and green onions. Her shimmy of excitement and my husband’s grin when he tasted it reminded me—family flavors carry more than taste. They carry shared moments across generations.
Short Description
Tender chicken tossed in a sticky honey-ginger-soy sauce, finished with sesame seeds and green onions—an easy and delightful comfort meal.
Key Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, bite-sized
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet or nonstick pan
- Whisk and spatula
- Serving plate or bowl
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Marinate Chicken
In a bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prep Sauce Slurry
Whisk cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook Chicken
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade), and cook in batches until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to plate.
Step 4: Thicken Sauce
Return skillet to medium heat. Pour in reserved marinade and stir. Add slurry gradually while stirring until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Add chicken back to pan, toss to coat in glossy sauce. Cook 1–2 more minutes.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rich Flavor: Sweet honey meets sharp ginger and garlic in every bite
Quick Prep: Marinate and cook in under an hour
Kid-Friendly: Mild sweetness and tender chicken that even picky eaters enjoy
Nourishing: High in protein with wholesome ingredients
Restaurant-Style At Home: Delicious comfort without takeout packaging
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Sauce too thin
Solution: Ensure slurry is well mixed and add slowly until desired thickness
Chicken overcrowded in pan
Solution: Cook in batches for proper browning
Burnt sauce
Solution: Stir continuously and reduce heat once sauce thickens
Garlic too raw
Solution: Mince finely and sauté briefly before adding marinade
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve alongside jasmine rice or chow mein noodles
Pair with steamed broccoli or snap peas
Offer a wedge of lime for a citrusy twist
Ideal for family dinners, easy entertaining, or teacher potlucks
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce
Sauce may thicken in fridge; loosen with water when reheating
Not recommended for freezing—it can alter consistency
FAQs
1. Can I use thigh meat instead of breast?
Yes. Thighs stay juicier and add richer flavor.
2. Is low-sodium soy sauce okay?
Yes. Just adjust the amount to suit your taste.
3. Can I skip marinating?
You can, but for best flavor, marinate at least 30 minutes.
4. Can it be gluten-free?
Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and check cornstarch packaging.
5. How spicy is this?
It’s mild. Add chili flakes or sriracha for heat if desired.
Tips & Tricks
Let leftover marinade sit for 5 minutes before cooking to prevent burning
Toast sesame seeds for extra depth before sprinkling
Add a squeeze of lime juice for fresh acidity at the end
Use a nonstick skillet to prevent sauce from sticking
Garnish with extra green onions for color and freshness
Recipe Variations
Spicy Kick: Add ½ tsp chili paste to marinade and top with sliced chilies
Tangy Twist: Substitute half the honey with hoisin sauce for deeper flavor
Vegetable Mix: Stir in snap peas, carrots, or broccoli during last 2 minutes of cooking
Nuts & Crunch: Finish with chopped cashews or peanuts for texture
Final Thoughts
When my granddaughter finishes her plate and asks for just one more bite, I recognize something simple has worked its charm: sweet, tender chicken wrapped in a cozy family memory.
A dish like this pulls people in, keeps them around, and somehow makes time slow down in the best way. Let it bring the same warmth to your home, one golden bite at a time.
Easy Chinese Honey Chicken
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, bite-sized
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate Chicken
Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Toss with chicken. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Make Slurry
Mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook Chicken
Heat oil over medium-high. Remove chicken from marinade (save marinade) and cook until golden and done, 5–7 minutes. Set aside.
Step 4: Thicken Sauce
In the same pan, heat reserved marinade. Stir in slurry gradually until thickened.
Step 5: Combine
Return chicken to skillet, toss in sauce. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over rice or noodles.
