What is sticky honey chicken made of?

Sticky Honey Chicken is made from boneless chicken pieces—usually thighs or breasts—cooked and coated in a sticky glaze made from honey, soy sauce, garlic, and sometimes ginger or chili flakes. The glaze reduces into a thick, glossy coating that clings to the crispy chicken.

How do you make sticky chicken sticky?

The stickiness comes from reducing the glaze. After cooking the chicken, you pour a mixture of honey, soy sauce, and aromatics into the same pan. Let it simmer until it thickens and coats the chicken. Using cornstarch on the chicken before cooking also helps the sauce adhere.

Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?

Yes, you can use maple syrup in place of honey to make Sticky Honey Chicken. It gives the dish a slightly deeper, richer flavor. Just make sure to reduce it properly so it thickens into a glaze and doesn’t remain too runny.

Is sticky honey chicken spicy?

Sticky Honey Chicken isn’t inherently spicy, but you can make it spicy by adding chili flakes, hot sauce, or even sriracha to the glaze. If you’re cooking for kids or spice-sensitive guests, just leave out the heat and let the sweet-and-savory combo shine.

Sticky Honey Chicken – 25-Minute Recipe with Amazing Glaze

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp oil (for cooking)
Optional: red pepper flakes, ginger, sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry.
Coat chicken lightly in cornstarch.
Heat oil in a skillet and sear chicken on both sides until golden.
Remove chicken and set aside.
In the same pan, add garlic and soy sauce, then stir in honey.
Add chicken back to the pan.
Simmer the glaze over low heat, stirring constantly.
Mix cornstarch with water and add to the pan.
Continue stirring until glaze thickens and sticks to chicken.
Serve hot over rice or vegetables.

Notes

Use tamari for a gluten-free version.
Maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
This reheats well for meal prep.

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Pan-Fried
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Diet: Gluten Free