These Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are my weeknight dinner secret weapon! They’re incredibly quick and easy to make, packed with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser. Tender chicken breast cubes are coated in a sticky-sweet and savory honey garlic sauce that’s simply irresistible. I love how versatile these are – serve them over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps. Get ready for a new family favorite!
Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, these chicken bites are perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor Explosion: The honey garlic sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness.
- Kid-Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters will love these flavorful chicken bites.
- Versatile: Serve them over rice, noodles, salad, or in lettuce wraps.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Chicken and Seasoning
- Boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes (Meat)
- Cornstarch (optional) (Thickener)
- Kosher salt (Seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
Sauce
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Unsalted butter (Fat)
- Garlic, finely minced (Aromatic)
- Honey (Sweetener)
- Low-sodium chicken stock (Liquid)
- Lemon juice (Acid)
- Hot sauce (optional) (Condiment)
Garnish
- Red chili pepper flakes (Spice)
- Chopped fresh parsley (Herb)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
I love this Honey Garlic Chicken Bites recipe as is, but feel free to customize:
- Make it Spicy: Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in some broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Use Chicken Thighs: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the chicken breast.
- Sesame Ginger: Add a teaspoon of grated ginger and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired twist.
- Pineapple: Add chunks of Pineapple.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Let me show you how easy it is to make these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites:
Prepare the Chicken
- First, I add the chicken breast cubes to a large bowl.
- Then I add the cornstarch (if using), salt, and pepper. I mix everything well to evenly coat all the chicken pieces. The cornstarch helps create a slightly crispy coating.
Cook the Chicken
- I heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Then, I add the butter. Once the butter is melted, I add the chicken breast cubes and cook them on all sides until they’re golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. I make sure not to overcrowd the pan, so I sometimes work in batches to ensure the chicken browns properly instead of steaming.
Make the Sauce and Finish
- Once the chicken is cooked through, I pour in the minced garlic, honey, chicken stock, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if using).
- I stir everything to completely coat the chicken in the sauce.
- I allow the sauce to simmer for a couple of minutes, until it thickens slightly and coats the chicken beautifully.
Garnish and Serve
- Finally, I garnish the Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with fresh chopped parsley and red chili pepper flakes.
- I serve them immediately over rice.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Here’s my secret to making these chicken bites extra delicious:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the chicken in batches, if necessary, ensures that it browns properly and doesn’t steam.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic has the best flavor.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of honey to your liking.
- Cornstarch is optional, but: if you have, it can create a more crispy chicken.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Over Rice: Serve them over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
- With Noodles: Toss them with your favorite noodles, like lo mein or udon.
- Salad Topping: Add them to a salad for a protein-packed and flavorful meal.
- Lettuce Wraps: Serve them in lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
- Appetizer: Serve them on their own as a tasty appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can store leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Bites in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.
FAQs about Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
- Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative and will be even more juicy.
- Can I make this without the hot sauce?
- Yes, you can omit the hot sauce if you prefer a milder flavor.
- What if I don’t have fresh lemon juice?
- You can use bottled lemon juice, but fresh lemon juice has a brighter flavor.
Enjoy these Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bites! They’re a quick, easy, and flavorful meal that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are tender, flavorful, and coated in a sticky-sweet sauce. They’re quick and easy to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium chicken stock
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Sriracha), optional
- 1 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with cornstarch (if using), salt, and pepper until evenly coated. The cornstarch helps create a slightly crispy exterior.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Add the chicken cubes to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Make Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced garlic, honey, chicken stock, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if using) to the skillet. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
- Simmer Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the honey garlic chicken bites with chopped fresh parsley and red chili pepper flakes. Serve immediately over rice, quinoa, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- Cornstarch (Optional): The cornstarch helps create a slightly crispy coating on the chicken, but it’s not essential.
- Honey: You can adjust the amount of honey to your preference.
- Hot Sauce (Optional): The hot sauce adds a touch of heat, but you can leave it out if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: These chicken bites are delicious served over rice, quinoa, noodles, or with a side of steamed vegetables.
- Storage: Leftover can be keep on the fridge for up to 4 days.