Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Honey Garlic Chicken will be a weekly repeat!  It’s on your table in 30 minutes made with pantry ingredients and whatever veggies you have on hand!

This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is a quick, one-skillet dinner that always hits the spot. It takes less time to make than running to your favorite restaurant – and it’s healthier and tastes even better!  This Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is loaded with juicy, undeniably tender chicken and tender-crisp veggies coated in an irresistible honey, garlic, ginger stir fry sauce.  You can stick with broccoli, carrots and bell peppers as seen in the photos or swap them for your favorite veggies or whatever is in your fridge.  This recipe is easy to make with a quick chicken marinade (my secret ingredient makes the chicken velvety tender!) while you chop the veggies and then it’s just a quick stir fry to dinner.  Your family will love this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe with rice or low carb cauliflower rice and if you’re feeling even more gourmet, toss in some homemade egg rolls and cream cheese wontons!

We love a good stir fry recipe around here.  They are my go-to meal whenever I want something simple, quick, easy, healthy and delicious OR whenever I want to clean out my veggie drawer.  Some don’t miss stir fry recipes include: Chinese Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken and Broccoli, Beef and Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, Szechuan Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry.

Pin this recipe to save for later

 

WHAT KIND OF CHICKEN best?

This comes down to personal preference.  Both chicken breasts and chicken thighs will work in this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe.

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts:  are leaner than chicken thighs but still emerge buttery tender from the velveting.  I always use chicken breasts + velveting and I am never disappointed.  It is what I have used and shown in these photos.
• Boneless skinless chicken thighs: are dark meat and therefore inherently juicier and hard to overcook and dry out. Thighs are the best option if you want to skip the velveting but I recommend velveting either way because it infuses the chicken with flavor.
• Can I use different Protein?  Looking beyond poultry, try out cubed tofu, pork or shrimp.  If using shrimp, add it at the end of cooking because shrimp will get rubbery if overcooked.

HOW DO YOU MAKE honey garlic CHICKEN EXTRA TENDER?

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is not only crazy delicious but the chicken is wonderful silky and juicy due to a simple process called velveting.  I first introduced you to velveting in my chicken stir fry recipe, and can attest it makes ALL THE difference.  It is how Chinese restaurants attain such smooth, tender chicken – and now you can get the same results at home!

There are a few different velveting techniques, but I opt for the easiest one using baking soda; and don’t worry, you can taste the textural difference but not the baking soda! Essentially, the chicken is marinated in a combination of baking soda, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, and cornstarch.  Here’s how it works:

• baking soda:  tenderizes the chicken by breaking down the chicken fibers so the chicken emerges softer on the inside like “velvet” – hence the name.
• soy sauce:  the salt in the soy sauce also helps break down the proteins for a more tender texture and infuses the chicken with flavor.
• rice wine: is an acidic ingredient that breaks down lean muscle fibers on the surface of the protein.
• cornstarch: acts as a binder and helps our soy sauce bind to the chicken for more flavorful chicken.   Cornstarch also provides a light coating that helps protect the chicken from drying out while cooking.

This easy velveting technique can be used in all your favorite Chinese Chicken recipes – even the ones with breading; instead, skip the breading and add whatever seasonings were in the breading to the velveting mixture. This allows you to enjoy the intoxicating sauces without the hassle of breading.  Try it on my  Cashew Chicken Stir Fry, Hoisin Ginger Chicken, Honey Lemon Chicken and Honey Coconut Chicken.   

WHAT IS IN honey garlic CHICKEN SAUCE?

The BEST Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry starts with the best sauce! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Honey:  adds a floral sweetness.  Use more or less to taste.
• Soy sauce:  use reduced sodium soy sauce so we can control the salt level.
• Hoisin sauce: is like an Asian BBQ Sauce and can be found in the Asian section of any grocery store. I use it in tons of my Asian recipes, so I promise it will not go to waste! Please use only Kikkoman or Lee Kum Kee brands hoisin sauce because they taste 1000X better!
• Chicken broth:  use low sodium chicken broth or your recipe will be too salty. You can also use vegetable broth but chicken broth is more flavorful. Pro Tip:  You can freeze unused chicken broth in desired quantities in plastic bags so it doesn’t go to waste.
• Rice wine:  adds a sweetness and depth of flavor.  I use “Kikkoman Aji-Mirin: Sweet Cooking Rice Seasoning” which is commonly found in the Asian section of most grocery stores or you can Amazon it. I highly suggest you google image before you head off to the grocery store so you know exactly what you are looking for.  The best substitute for rice wine is pale dry sherry. Do NOT substitute rice wine with rice vinegar, they are NOT the same.  Rice vinegar will add an acidic flavor without the sweetness. 
• Cornstarch:  helps thicken the sauce to a glossy, luscious consistency so nice it’s not watery.
• Aromatics: ginger, onions and garlic (added with the stir fry) add warm spicy, almost peppery taste.  These aromatics awaken and elevate the entire recipe. If you’re looking to save time and skip some chopping, you can substitute the fresh onions, garlic and ginger with powders. The typical rule of thumb is 3:1, so one part dried to three parts fresh.
• Ginger pro tip:  I like to freeze ginger so it’s always at my fingertips.  To freeze ginger: grate it, spread it by the teaspoon or tablespoon on parchment paper and flash freeze until solid, about 1 hour.  Transfer to an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 6 months.   You can add frozen ginger directly to your stir fry.
• Asian chili sauce:  is needed to balance the sweetness of the honey and add a depth of flavor. So, if you feel like your Honey Garlic Chicken is missing something, it is probably heat!  I recommend adding more to taste at the end of cooking if you would like it spicier.  I use Sambal Oelek with the green lid but you can also use your favorite chili sauce.

IS honey garlic CHICKEN RECIPE GLUTEN FREE?

As written, this recipe is not gluten free.  To make it gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce or tamari.  You will also want to double check that your hoisin is gluten free. 

WHAT VEGETABLES can I use?

Feel free to use any veggies you’d like based on what’s in your fridge, your favorites, what’s in season or what’s on sale.

Here are some great stir fry vegetables to try: 

• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Snow Peas
• Snap Peas
• Zucchini
• Celery
• Asparagus
• Baby corn
• Edamame
• Bean sprouts
• Cabbage (green or red)
• Bok choy

HOW DO I CHOP stir fry VEGETABLES?

Texture is key in any stir fry so it is important to keep that in mind when chopping your veggies – you don’t want some veggies to be crunchy and some to be mushy!  There are some vegetables that take longer to cook such as broccoli and carrots and some take less time to cook such as zucchini and bell peppers.

For this recipe, cut your broccoli into medium florets, chop your bell peppers into 1-inch squares and slice the carrots thinly.

If you choose to use other vegetables, keep in mind longer cooking vegetables need to be chopped smaller/thinner, and the shorter cooking vegetables larger.  For example, cut the zucchini thickly.  Some vegetables such as snow peas and asparagus should only be added the last minute or so of stir frying.

honey garlic chicken recipe VARIATIONS

Make this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe your own!  Here are some ideas: 

• Make it sweeter: add additional honey.
• Spice it up: add additional Asian chili paste or red pepper flakes.
• Make it more savory: add additional soy sauce or salt.
• Add more oomph: amp up the garlic and/or ginger for a stronger punch of flavor.
• Swap veggies:  use a combination of your favorite veggies or even go all broccoli. 
• Add nuts:  add peanuts or cashews for a satisfying nutty crunch.
• Add water chestnuts:  also add a tasty crunch.  Water chestnuts are easy to find in a can so you can keep them stocked and ready to go.
• Add canned bamboo Shoots: should be easy to find at every grocery store.  They add a crunchy, meaty texture. 
• Add sesame seeds:  add the nutty sesame flavor. 

HOW to make honey garlic chicken

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is easy to make even though there are a few steps.  Here’s how:

STEP 1:  MARINATE CHICKEN (“VELVETING”)

• Marinating the chicken ensures juicy, flavorful, silky chicken.  The marinating/velveting process is simple – add cornstarch, baking soda, sesame oil, soy sauce and rice wine to a large freezer bag or bowl; whisk to combine.
• Add chicken and turn until evenly coated.  Let sit at room temperature while you chop your veggies.

• TIP:  Use the marinating time to prep your bell peppers, aromatics and to whisk the sauce together.

STEP 2:  COOK CHICKEN

• Heat some vegetable or peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Make sure to use a neutral oil so the chicken isn’t tainted. Once very hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden then stir and cook chicken just until opaque. Transfer to a plate.

STEP 3:  STIR FRY VEGGIES

• Heat oil over medium-high heat. Once very hot, add the onions and veggies and stir fry for three minutes.

• TIP: Set a timer and DON’T over-cook the veggies because they will continue to cook in the sauce – we want crisp tender veggies, not tender crisp. Also, you don’t want to burn the garlic.

STEP 4:  COMBINE & THICKEN SAUCE

• Return the chicken to the skillet. Whisk the sauce to recombine then add to the skillet.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened and chicken is cooked through, about 1-2 minutes.

• TIP:  The consistency of the sauce is up to you – for thinner sauce, simmer for less time, for thicker sauce, simmer for more time.   Just make sure the chicken is cooked through when you’re finished.

Dig in!

WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH honey garlic CHICKEN?

This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is dripping with flavor so it pairs well with neutral sides such as:

• Rice. I like jasmine rice or brown rice but any rice will work.  Just pop the rice in your rice cooker for a hand’s off, easy side. You can also use microwave rice pouches if you’re making a serving for one or meal prep.  
• Low carb.  Cauliflower rice, quinoa, broccoli rice or a blend of brown rice and any of the aforementioned options.   You can also use low carb noodles such as zoodles or spaghetti squash.
• Noodles.  Ramen, soba noodles, rice noodles or even linguine are a fun way to mix things up! 
• Appetizers:  For a complete Asian feast, pair your Honey Garlic Chicken recipe with Potstickers,  Pineapple Cream Cheese Wontons,  Crab Rangoons, and/or Egg Rolls
• Salad: some of our favorite Asian inspired salads include Ramen Salad, Crunchy Asian Salad, Chinese Salad, and Asian Pineapple Salad.
• Soups: Asian soups make a fantastic starter such as Wonton Soup, Egg Drop Soup or Miso Soup.

HOW TO PREP AHEAD

This stir fry has a few steps, but you can prep almost everything ahead of time for a speedy dinner. Here’s how:

• Chop chicken.   Chop chicken into large bite size pieces any time before marinating then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Make sauce.  Whisk the ingredients together up to 24 hours in advance and store, covered in the refrigerator.  Let the sauce sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or so before using.
• Chop veggies.  You can chop your garlic, grate your ginger and chop your veggies 24 hours in advance and store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Cook!  Within the next 24 hours, proceed with the recipe starting with marinating the chicken for 20-30 minutes.

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT

This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe reheats very well if not initially overcooked.   

• How to store:  store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• How to reheat in microwave:  transfer small portions to a microwave safe dish, heat for one minute, stir then continue to heat at 30 second intervals. 
• How to reheat on the stove: rewarm gently in a large skillet, stirring often.  You may need to add a splash of water (better yet chicken broth if you have it) to thin the sauce as needed.

CAN YOU FREEZE honey garlic CHICKEN?

Yes, this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry freezes very well, except for the bell peppers.  If using bell peppers, you may want to pick them out or they will become mushy when thawed.  Also, take care not to overcook the chicken or it won’t be as tender when reheated.

• Let the recipe cool completely. 
• Transfer to an airtight container.  If using a freezer bag, squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Label and freeze for up to 3 months. 
• When ready to eat, let the chicken thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat in the microwave for 60 seconds then at 30 second intervals or gently on the stove.

IS honey garlic CHICKEN HEALTHY?

Honey Garlic Chicken is healthier than other fried Chinese chicken recipes.  The chicken is a lean protein which means it doesn’t have very much fat which can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and even lose weight all while helping to sustain your muscles.  Chicken is also full of calcium and phosphorous which helps strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of arthritis.

The recipe veggies are also cholesterol free and provide vitamins and minerals.  The veggies also retain more nutrients when stir fried verses being boiled.  Just some of the nutrients in fresh veggies include vitamins A & C, potassium, folate and dietary fiber.  Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure and dietary fiber helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease.  

To make your recipe even healthier:

• Add more veggies or substitute some of the chicken with more vegetables.  The more vegetables, the better!
• Use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.
• Serve the stir fry with cauliflower rice, quinoa, or zucchini noodles instead of rice.