If you’re craving a dinner that checks every box—juicy, sweet, savory, garlicky, and ready in just 20 minutes—these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are about to become your new go-to! Each bite bursts with flavor, and that sticky, glossy sauce will have you scraping every last drop off your plate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- That Mouthwatering Sauce: Sweet honey, zesty lemon, and a generous hit of garlic come together to create a sticky glaze you’ll want to put on everything.
- Quick and Easy: This crowd-pleasing dish comes together in just about 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Versatile for Any Meal: Serve over rice, noodles, or toss into a lunch bowl—Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are as flexible as your cravings.
- Just the Right Kick: A dash of red pepper flakes and hot sauce balances the sweetness, making every forkful absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll love how a simple lineup of staples creates such bold flavors in these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites! Each ingredient is essential—bringing tenderness, brightness, heat, or that signature glossy finish to the final dish.
- Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-size pieces, chicken breast soaks up all the gorgeous sauce for juicy, flavorful bites.
- Cornstarch: Tossed with the chicken, it creates a light, crisp coating and helps the sauce cling to each piece.
- Red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt & pepper: These seasonings add depth, warmth, and just a hint of a kick.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken, making every bite luxurious.
- Fresh garlic: Five or six cloves—crushed or minced—build that signature punchy garlic flavor right from the start.
- Olive oil: Helps create a silky, glossy sauce when combined with the other liquids.
- Honey: The star of the show, giving the sauce its sweetness and signature sticky finish.
- Lemon juice: A splash of citrus brightens everything and balances the honey perfectly.
- Soy sauce: Lends an umami, savory note and those delicious caramel undertones.
- Hot sauce or sriracha: Adds just enough heat to keep things exciting, adjustable to your spice preference.
Variations
The beauty of Honey Garlic Chicken Bites is how endlessly adaptable they are! Whether you’re adjusting to what’s in your fridge or catering to dietary needs, this recipe welcomes your personal twist.
- Make it gluten-free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free version.
- Turn up the heat: Use extra sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra fiery kick if you love things spicy.
- Try different protein: Chicken thighs, tofu, or even shrimp work beautifully with this sauce and cooking technique.
- Add veggies: Sauté some bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli with the chicken for a built-in veggie boost.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Step 1: Season and Coat the Chicken
Pat your chicken breast pieces dry with a paper towel—this helps them brown instead of steam. In a large bowl, toss the chicken together with cornstarch, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper so every bite is evenly coated and full of flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces, spreading them out so they brown nicely. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side until the chicken is golden and cooked all the way through—flip them as they become deeply golden on the first side.
Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
While the chicken sizzles, whisk together the minced garlic, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, and hot sauce in a small bowl. The mixture will look wonderfully glossy and smell incredible already!
Step 4: Glaze and Finish
Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the cooked chicken in the pan. Let it bubble and thicken for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until every chicken piece is glossy, caramelized, and sticky with goodness. The longer it cooks, the thicker and stickier the sauce will get—so stop when you reach your preferred sauciness!
Pro Tips for Making Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
- Ultimate Stickiness: If you crave extra-sticky sauce, let the chicken bubble in the sauce a minute or two longer and watch it coat the pieces beautifully.
- Juicy Chicken Every Time: Don’t overcook! Bite-size pieces cook fast—pull them off once done to keep the chicken moist.
- Garlic Intensity: For bolder garlic flavor, grate your garlic instead of mincing—it creates more surface area and infuses the sauce deeply.
- Spice Control: Balance the heat by adjusting the hot sauce and red pepper flakes to your perfect level—taste as you go!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Garnishes
To add a burst of color and pop of freshness, sprinkle your Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with sliced green onions and a generous shower of toasted sesame seeds. Chopped cilantro or a scatter of red chili rings will also make your dish look restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
These sticky-sweet chicken bites are absolutely dreamy over a bed of fluffy rice (jasmine or basmati are both divine). You can pair them with steamed broccoli, sautéed greens, or even spoon them over buttered noodles. They also make a fun appetizer alongside crisp lettuce cups!
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling your Honey Garlic Chicken Bites high on a platter with toothpicks for a crowd-pleasing party bite, or pack them into a bento box with pickled veggies and rice for a playful lunch. You can even toss leftovers into a fresh salad or wrap for a flavor-packed meal the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator—they’ll stay delicious for up to 3–4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making lunch the next day just as tempting as dinner!
Freezing
Freeze Honey Garlic Chicken Bites after they’ve cooled completely in airtight containers. They’ll keep for up to three months. Just remember, the texture may soften a bit once thawed, but the sauce will still taste divine!
Reheating
To reheat, warm your chicken bites gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until hot—add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems thick. Avoid high heat so the chicken stays nice and tender.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe—they’re even juicier and soak up flavors well. Just be sure to cut them into evenly-sized bites so they cook at the same rate.
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Is there a dairy-free option?
You can substitute the butter with more olive oil or a neutral oil of your choice. The sauce will still be glossy and flavorful without the dairy.
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How do I make the sauce thicker?
Letting the sauce simmer a few extra minutes will naturally thicken it as the honey reduces. For an even thicker glaze, you can make a quick slurry of cornstarch and water and stir it in during the last minute of cooking.
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Are Honey Garlic Chicken Bites spicy?
The spice level is mild with just a gentle kick, but you can adjust the heat to your taste by adding more (or less) red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Final Thoughts
Give these Honey Garlic Chicken Bites a try the next time you crave something sweet, savory, and just a little bit special. They’re the kind of dish that brings people running to the table—one bite and you’ll see why they’re so hard to resist!
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
These Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a sticky honey garlic sauce coating tender chicken pieces. Serve over rice or with your favorite veggies for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Chicken Bites:
- 1.5 pound chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 5–6 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce or sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat down chicken with a paper towel. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cornstarch, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook Chicken: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, and hot sauce.
- Finish Dish: Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. The longer you cook, the thicker the sauce will become.
- Serve: Serve over rice, pasta, or with veggies.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze the chicken in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Note that leftovers may lose some texture but will still be delicious.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 383 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 833mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 124mg
