Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Bites recipe features tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked to golden perfection and coated in a glossy, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, it's perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer served with a sprinkle of fresh scallions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat 1 1/2 pounds chopped boneless, skinless chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season all over with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, and 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until well combined to create a balanced sweet and tangy sauce.
- Brown First Half of Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown on the bottom and the chicken easily releases from the pan, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate; some pieces might not be fully cooked through at this point.
- Brown Second Half of Chicken: Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil to the skillet and repeat the same browning process for the second half of the chicken. Transfer to the plate with the first batch.
- Cook Chicken with Sauce: Return all chicken pieces and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high, pour in the prepared honey garlic sauce, and cook while spooning sauce over the chicken. Continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens, becoming glossy and reduced by about half.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with thinly sliced scallions if desired, adding a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Chicken: Use a mix of breasts and thighs for juicier bites and enhanced flavor.
- Soy Sauce Alternative: Tamari can be used as a gluten-free substitute for soy sauce.
- Cooking Pan: A cast-iron or stainless steel skillet works best to achieve a good sear on the chicken.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with steamed rice, quinoa, or a side of vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
