Description
Sticky Honey Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs cooked in a honey-soy sauce glaze with garlic and ginger. The chicken is seared to golden perfection and simmered in a luscious sauce that’s thickened with cornstarch for a sticky, flavorful finish. Garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Thickener and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, olive oil, and sesame oil until well combined. Set aside to infuse flavors.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Add the sauce and simmer: Lower the heat to medium-low and pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Cover and let simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, ensuring the chicken is cooked through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Prepare the thickening slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth to create a slurry that will help thicken the sauce.
- Thicken the sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry into the skillet with the chicken. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a sticky glaze coating the chicken nicely.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat once desired thickness is reached. Sprinkle the sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken to add freshness and crunch.
- Serve hot: Plate the Sticky Honey Chicken while warm, ideally with steamed rice or your choice of stir-fried vegetables to complete the meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in half of the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat that stays tender during simmering.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before adding chicken to get a nice sear and caramelization.
- Adjust the sweetness or acidity by varying honey or vinegar according to your taste preference.
