Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken (Fried) – Crispy, Sweet, and Fiery Goodness

Introduction

If you love that magical combo of sweet, spicy, and garlicky flavors, then this Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken (Fried) will be your new go-to dish. Imagine crispy golden fried chicken tossed in a glossy sauce made with honey, garlic, chili flakes, and a touch of soy sauce—it’s sticky, flavorful, and totally irresistible. Perfect for dinner nights, family get-togethers, or even a game-day snack. This dish is a crowd-pleaser because it has all the right textures: crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated with a finger-licking sauce.

Ingredients – Shopping List

Here’s everything you’ll need (serves 4):

For the Chicken:

• 500 g (about 1 lb) boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces – Buy fresh chicken
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Best all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch – Premium cornstarch
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika – Smoked paprika
• 2 eggs, beaten – Organic eggs
• Oil for frying – Best frying oil

For the Spicy Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 4 tbsp honey – Raw organic honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced – Peeled fresh garlic
• 2 tbsp soy sauce – Kikkoman soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sriracha or chili sauce – Huy Fong Sriracha
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar – Best rice vinegar
• 1 tsp red chili flakes – Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp butter – Premium unsalted butter

Essential Kitchen Tools & Appliances

Before we get started, here’s your checklist:

• Mixing bowls set
• Sharp chef’s knife and cutting board
• Deep frying pan or wok
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Paper towels for draining oil

Preparation Steps (Step-by-Step)

1. Cut chicken: Rinse and pat dry your chicken. Cut into bite-sized cubes.
2. Prepare coating: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Egg dip: Beat eggs in a separate bowl.
4. Dredge chicken: First dip chicken pieces into egg, then coat them in the flour mix. Shake off excess.
5. Set aside: Place coated chicken on a plate while heating oil.

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil: In a wok or deep pan, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Test with a small batter piece—it should sizzle immediately.
2. Fry chicken: Carefully drop chicken pieces (in batches) into hot oil. Fry 6–8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked inside.
3. Drain: Remove chicken with tongs, place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. Make sauce: In another pan, melt butter, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, and chili flakes. Stir until slightly thickened (about 2–3 minutes).
5. Coat chicken: Toss fried chicken in the sauce until evenly coated and glossy.

Secret Tip: Double fry the chicken for extra crispiness—fry once at 325°F, remove, let rest, then fry again at 375°F before saucing.

Serving Suggestions

• Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions – Sesame seeds.
• Serve with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or even over noodles.
• For a snack version, pair with fries and a cold drink.

Additional Tips

• Want it less spicy? Reduce sriracha and chili flakes.
• For a healthier version, you can bake the chicken at 400°F for 20–25 mins instead of frying.
• Gluten-free? Swap flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose mix.
• Add extra kick by tossing in fresh chopped chilies before serving.

Nutrition (per serving, approx. 1/4 of recipe)

• Calories: 410 kcal
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbs: 32 g
• Fat: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 14 g

FAQ – Quick Answers

Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can fry chicken in advance and store it. Re-crisp in the oven, then toss in sauce before serving.

Q2: How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.

Q3: What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
Use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute.

Q4: Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes, swap chicken with cauliflower or tofu. The sauce works beautifully with both!

Wrap-Up

And there you have it—crispy, juicy, and utterly addictive Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken (Fried)! It’s the kind of dish that makes you lick your fingers clean and still want more. Fun fact: honey-garlic sauce originated in Asian cooking but became popular worldwide because it strikes that perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Whether you’re making it for a quick family dinner or showing off at a party, this recipe never disappoints. So grab your wok, heat up that oil, and let’s fry up some magic tonight!