Ever ordered Chinese takeout and found yourself wondering what exactly goes into that irresistible honey chicken? You’re not alone! As someone who’s spent way too many nights craving this sweet and crispy delight I’ve done the research to uncover exactly what Chinese honey chicken is made from and how you can recreate this popular dish at home.
The Origins of Chinese Honey Chicken
Chinese honey chicken isn’t actually a traditional Chinese dish from mainland China. Surprise! It’s believed to have originated in the Hunan province of China but was later adapted to suit Western palates. This fusion food combines Chinese cooking techniques with sweeter flavors that appeal to American and Australian tastes.
The dish became a staple in Chinese-American restaurants, cementing its place as one of the most beloved “Chinese” dishes around the world. It’s part of that wonderful category of dishes that might not be authentic to China’s culinary heritage but have become iconic in their own right.
The Core Ingredients of Chinese Honey Chicken
So what exactly is Chinese honey chicken made from? Let’s break down the essential components:
The Chicken
- Chicken type: Most commonly made with chicken thighs, which stay juicier and more tender during the frying process. Breast meat can be used too but tends to dry out more easily.
- Preparation: The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces or strips that cook quickly and easily absorb the honey glaze.
- Marinade: Before cooking, the chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of:
- Soy sauce (usually light soy)
- Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
- Cornstarch/cornflour
- Sometimes egg white (helps bind the coating)
The Crispy Coating
The signature crispiness comes from a special batter and frying technique:
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Batter ingredients
- Cornstarch/cornflour (the main component for crispiness)
- All-purpose flour (for golden color)
- Baking powder (gives the coating a light, airy texture)
- Cold soda water or club soda (the carbonation and cold temperature help create extra crispiness)
- Salt
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Dredging: Before battering, the chicken is often dusted with cornstarch to seal in moisture and help the batter adhere better.
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Frying method:
- Deep-fried in vegetable or canola oil at a high temperature
- Many recipes use a double-fry method: first at a lower temperature to cook the chicken through, then at a higher temperature to make the coating extra crispy
The Honey Sauce
This is the star of the show! The sauce typically includes
- Honey: The primary sweetener and flavor, giving the dish its name and characteristic stickiness
- Glucose or corn syrup: Helps create that “candy-like” coating that sticks to the chicken without making it soggy
- Soy sauce: Adds umami and saltiness to balance the sweetness
- Chinese cooking wine: Adds depth of flavor
- Rice vinegar: Provides a subtle tanginess that cuts through the sweetness
- Aromatics: Often includes garlic and ginger for depth of flavor
- Thickeners: Sometimes a bit of cornstarch is added to help the sauce coat the chicken properly
The Step-by-Step Process of Making Chinese Honey Chicken
Here’s how this delicious dish comes together:
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Marinate the chicken: Toss chicken pieces in soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and cornstarch for at least 30 minutes.
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Prepare the batter: Mix cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and cold soda water until you get a consistency that will coat the chicken but isn’t too thick.
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Dust with cornstarch: Coat the marinated chicken pieces in cornstarch to seal in moisture.
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Batter the chicken: Dip each piece into the batter mixture until fully coated.
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First fry: Deep-fry the chicken at around 350°F (180°C) until light golden and crispy (about 3 minutes).
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Cool the chicken: Let the fried chicken pieces rest for about 20 minutes (this is a key step for extra crispiness when double-frying).
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Make the honey sauce: Combine honey, glucose/corn syrup, soy sauce, and Chinese cooking wine in a pan and simmer until slightly thickened.
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Second fry: For ultra-crispy chicken, fry the pieces again at a higher temperature (around 390°F/200°C) for about 90 seconds until golden brown.
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Toss in sauce: Quickly tumble the fried chicken into the honey sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
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Garnish and serve: Typically garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, often served over rice or crispy noodles.
What Makes Chinese Honey Chicken So Irresistible?
There’s a reason why this dish is a crowd-pleaser:
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Contrasting textures: The crispy, crackling exterior against the tender, juicy chicken inside creates a satisfying mouthfeel.
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Sweet-savory balance: The honey’s sweetness is perfectly balanced by the umami of soy sauce.
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Comforting familiarity: It’s like an elevated version of chicken nuggets with a sweet twist.
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Customizable heat: Can be easily adapted to include some spice with the addition of chili flakes.
Regional Variations of Chinese Honey Chicken
Like many popular dishes, honey chicken has several regional variations:
- Sichuan-style: Includes dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns for a spicy kick
- Northern China: Features crispy chicken pieces marinated in rice wine vinegar
- Hong Kong: Often uses pineapple honey for a unique flavor
- Guangdong province: Adds lemon juice for a tangy twist
Making Chinese Honey Chicken at Home That STAYS Crispy
One of the biggest challenges with homemade Chinese honey chicken is keeping it crispy after adding the sauce. Here are some expert tips:
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Use cold batter: Keeping your batter cold (even refrigerating the bowl with dry ingredients before mixing) creates a crispier coating.
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Double-fry technique: Frying once, cooling, then frying again creates a sturdier crust that resists sogginess.
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Drain properly: Use a rack instead of paper towels to drain the fried chicken, preventing the underside from getting steamy and soft.
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Sauce consistency: The honey sauce should be thick enough to coat but not soak into the chicken. Using glucose or corn syrup helps create that candy-like consistency.
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Quick tossing: Don’t let the chicken sit in the sauce for too long before serving.
Is Chinese Honey Chicken Healthy?
Let’s be honest – Chinese honey chicken isn’t winning any health food competitions. Due to the deep-frying and sweet sauce, it’s:
- High in calories
- High in fat (from the frying)
- High in sugar (from the honey)
- Often high in sodium (from the soy sauce)
However, it does provide protein from the chicken, and if you make it at home, you can control the ingredients to make it somewhat healthier by:
- Using leaner chicken breast
- Reducing the amount of honey and sugar
- Serving with plenty of vegetables
- Enjoying it as an occasional treat rather than a regular meal
What to Serve with Chinese Honey Chicken
Chinese honey chicken pairs wonderfully with:
- Steamed rice or fried rice
- Stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or bok choy
- Crispy noodles (those puffy white vermicelli noodles often served under the chicken)
- Fresh Asian slaw or cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast
- Egg rolls or spring rolls for a complete takeout-style feast
Can I Make Chinese Honey Chicken Ahead of Time?
Yes! Surprisingly, you can prep components ahead:
- Fry the chicken using the double-fry method and cool completely
- Make the sauce separately and store in a container
- Refrigerate both components
- When ready to serve, reheat the chicken in a 350°F (180°C) oven for about 7 minutes to heat and re-crisp
- Warm the sauce and toss with the hot chicken
This method keeps the chicken amazingly crispy even after refrigeration!
The Bottom Line
Chinese honey chicken is a delicious fusion dish made from bite-sized chicken pieces (usually thighs) that are battered and fried until crispy, then coated in a sticky-sweet honey sauce. While not an authentic traditional Chinese dish, it’s become a beloved staple in Chinese restaurants worldwide.
The secret to amazing honey chicken lies in the batter technique, double-frying method, and the perfect honey sauce consistency. With the right approach, you can make restaurant-quality honey chicken at home that stays crispy for hours even after being coated in sauce.
Next time you’re craving this sweet and savory favorite, why not try making it yourself? Your family will think you’ve got some secret restaurant training up your sleeve!
Have you tried making Chinese honey chicken at home? What tricks have you discovered? Drop me a comment below – I’d love to hear your experiences with this irresistible dish!
Ingredients – tailored to your taste
Chicken: I use boneless skinless thighs as I find dark meat juicier and more forgiving. Boneless skinless chicken breasts can be used as well, especially with the velveting technique that helps tenderize the chicken.
Honey garlic sauce: The tasty sauce is simple and classic – honey, garlic and soy. The recipe below doubles the sauce from the original recipe, but if you like extra honey garlic sauce to drizzle on rice, you will need to double the amount again. Add some chili flakes for heat if you like.
Egg white and cornstarch mixture: The recipe uses a Chinese velveting technique which coats the chicken in a mixture of egg whites and cornstarch to seal in the juices for tenderness while creating a crispy coating. It’s really easy and works well. Enhance the flavors by adding a
Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point (not olive oil) such as grapeseed oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or other vegetable oil.
What to serve with crispy honey garlic chicken
As an appetizer, serve the chicken bites with other appetizers like shrimp cocktail, baked brie and preserves or other vegetarian appetizers.
- You can make this recipe ahead by keeping the chicken in the oven on Warm for an hour, then tossing it in the heated sauce right before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat in a hot oven for 5 minutes.
Chinese velveting technique is used to seal in the juices of the meat, resulting in a tender more flavorful chicken. You marinate meat in a mixture of cornstarch, egg whites, and seasonings before deep frying it. Some blanch the mixture in oil first and then stir fry the chicken.
You can use chicken, beef or pork for the honey garlic recipe. I would suggest sirloin or perhaps a well-marbled tri-tip steak or ribeye for the beef. Chuck or flank can be used as well, but it’s a bit chewier.
How to make delicious honey chicken at home
FAQ
What is Chinese honey chicken?
“Honey chicken” Chinese refers to an American-Chinese dish of crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, sticky honey-based sauce and often garnished with sesame seeds. It’s known for its addictive sweet, savory, and tangy flavor profile and its appealing contrast between the crunchy chicken and the gooey sauce. While it’s a popular takeout option, it can also be made at home to enjoy its delightful flavor and texture, often as a variation on other sweet and savory chicken dishes.
What are the ingredients in honey chicken?
Honey chicken ingredients vary, but typically include boneless chicken, a batter (often flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and water/egg), oil for cooking, and a honey-based sauce with ingredients like honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar (apple cider or rice), and often sugar, ketchup, or chicken broth.
What does honey chicken taste like?
What are the three ingredients in honey chicken?
It’s absolute perfection with only 3 ingredients: honey, coconut aminos, and minced garlic. While the chicken is sautéing, stir together the sauce ingredients. Once the chicken is finished pour that sauce in the pan. You’re going to let it simmer and bubble for about 5 minutes.