Crispy, crunchy chicken in a sweet and sticky sauce make this recipe for Honey Garlic Chicken a favorite for all. It takes around 30 minutes to make and can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as an appetizer.
This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.
One of the most popular recipes on Delicious Little Bites is a recipe for Easy Garlic Chicken.
It’s easy, obviously, but also really flavorful.
This recipe for Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders is a saucy play off of that recipe.
The biggest differences are that this recipe is made with fried chicken and is much sweeter.
Why This Recipe Works
This is actually a really easy recipe that’s quick to make. It takes just over 30 minutes to make.
It is loaded with flavor. If you use crushed red pepper, this chicken has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
You can serve this as lunch or dinner, or even as an appetizer. Leftovers are great for lunch the next day or even meal prep.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken
Prep!
There is not a lot of prep work to be done for this recipe.
Trim the chicken, if needed, and mince the garlic.
Create!
Add the flour, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika to a shallow bowl and mix well.
Lightly whisk the eggs in a separate bowl.
Coat each chicken tender in the flour, then dip it in the egg. Let the excess drip off, then coat it in flour once again.
Set on a plate and repeat these steps with the remaining pieces of chicken.
Pour canola oil into a large skillet until about 1/2-inch high and heat over medium.
Tip: it’s important to cook the chicken at medium to medium high to ensure it cooks completely without burning the coating. For reference, this is about a 4 out of 6 on a gas range.
Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken tenders.
Tip: you can use thin cut chicken breasts instead of tenders if you prefer.
Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Remove the cooked chicken to a paper towel lined plate.
While the chicken is cooling, make the sauce.
In a separate small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium low.
Add the garlic and cook 2-3 minutes or until it just starts to brown.
Add the soy sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes, if using
Cook for about 2 minutes, until heated through and well blended
Present!
Brush or drizzle the sauce onto the tenders until coated. Use extra sauce for dipping, if desired.
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.
Tips and Techniques for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken
- You can use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders. You will want to either pound them out thinner or slice them in half lengthwise to make thinner pieces so that they fully cook.
- When frying the chicken, keep the temperature at medium to medium-high so the tenders cook slow enough that the chicken is fully cooked, but the breading is not burnt. For example, set the heat to 4 out of 6 on a gas stove.
- Keep the temperature set to low to low-medium when making the Honey Garlic Sauce so that it doesn’t get too hot and foam up. For example, set the heat to a 2 or 3 out of 6 on a gas stove.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
FAQ’s
- Can you bake Honey Garlic Chicken in the oven? This recipe hasn’t been tested in the oven at this time. However, this Oven Fried Chicken post from The Cookie Rookie may be able to help. Then, make the sauce on the stovetop and brush it on.
- What goes with Honey Garlic Chicken? The best part about this recipe is how versatile it is. While you can serve it over rice or noodles, it’s also great with a side of vegetables, over mac and cheese, or even with mashed potatoes.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
If you want more garlicky chicken recipes, then Creamy Garlic Chicken is a must try. It’s loaded with slices of fresh garlic in a creamy sauce.
Some other easy chicken recipes that you might like include, Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Casserole and Cilantro Lime Chicken.
Love this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!
Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 eggs
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 4 cloves garlic * minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes * optional
- canola oil * for frying
Instructions
- Mix together the flour, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika in a shallow dish.
- Beat the two eggs in a second shallow dish.
- Coat each chicken tender in the flour.
- Next, dip each chicken tender in the egg, letting the excess drip off, then back into the flour for a second coat. Place the tenders on a plate once coated.
- Pour canola oil into a large skillet until about 1/2-inch high and heat over medium.
- Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken tenders.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
- In a separate small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium low.
- Add the garlic and cook 2-3 minutes or until it just starts to brown.
- Add the soy sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes, if using.
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until heated through and well blended.
- Brush or drizzle the sauce onto the tenders until coated. Use extra sauce for dipping, if desired.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken
- You can use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders. You will want to either pound them out thinner or slice them in half lengthwise to make thinner pieces so that they fully cook.
- When frying the chicken, keep the temperature at medium to medium-high so the tenders cook slow enough that the chicken is fully cooked, but the breading is not burnt. For example, set the heat to 4 out of 6 on a gas stove.
- Keep the temperature set to low to low-medium when making the Honey Garlic Sauce so that it doesn’t get too hot and foam up. For example, set the heat to a 2 or 3 out of 6 on a gas stove.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
