Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

If there’s one thing I love, it’s bringing back a recipe I haven’t made in years. And these Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are exactly that!

Years ago, I used to cut chicken breasts into little chunks, coat them with egg and cornstarch, and fry them until they were golden and crispy. I always loved how light that coating turned out. No thick breading, just little pieces of tender chicken with a delicious crispy outside.

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Well, I got to thinking about that chicken again and decided it was time to bring it back. This time, I’m tossing those crispy bites in a homemade honey garlic glaze and serving them over a bed of wild rice.

And let me tell you, that combination is delicious! The glaze is sweet, a little tangy, and full of garlic flavor. Plus, the slightly nutty flavor of wild rice goes perfectly with it.

This is one of those dinners that looks like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen, but it’s actually pretty simple to make.

So, let’s mix it up!

Why You’ll Love These Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

• Light and crispy coating: Cornstarch gives the chicken a delicate, crispy outside without heavy breading.
• Homemade honey garlic glaze: Sweet, savory, and just a little tangy.
• Simple ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
• Better than takeout at home: You can make a delicious restaurant-inspired chicken dinner right in your own kitchen.
• Perfect over wild rice: The nutty flavor of wild rice balances the sweetness of the glaze beautifully.

Tools I Use

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👉 See my full list of favorite kitchen tools here.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crispy Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: I use about two pounds and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Try to keep the pieces close to the same size so they cook evenly.

Cornstarch: This is what gives the chicken that wonderful light, crispy coating. We’re skipping the traditional flour and breadcrumbs.

Eggs: Beaten eggs help the cornstarch coating stick to the chicken.

Salt and black pepper: Just a little seasoning before frying.

Oil for frying: Use a neutral oil such as vegetable or canola oil.

For the Honey Garlic Glaze

Honey: Adds sweetness and gives the glaze that beautiful sticky finish.

Brown sugar: Adds a little richness and helps create a glossy sauce.

Soy sauce: Balances the sweetness with a savory flavor.

Ketchup: Adds a little tanginess and color.

Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the glaze and keeps it from tasting overly sweet. Rice vinegar works too.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives this glaze its delicious flavor.

Ginger: Optional, but a little fresh ginger adds another layer of flavor.

Cornstarch and water: Used to thicken the glaze so it clings to every piece of chicken.

For Serving

Wild rice blend: I love serving this chicken over a long-grain and wild rice blend. It has a slightly nutty flavor and a wonderful texture.

Green onions or sesame seeds: Optional garnishes that add a little color and flavor.

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into approximately 1-inch pieces.

Try to keep them fairly uniform so they cook at about the same rate.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick and keeps excess moisture out of the hot oil.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

In one shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs.

In another bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.

Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, allowing the excess to drip off. Then roll them in the cornstarch mixture until lightly coated.

Shake off any excess cornstarch and place the chicken on a plate or wire rack.

Let the coated chicken rest for about five minutes while you heat the oil.

Nettie’s Tip: Don’t pile on the cornstarch. You want a light coating, not a thick layer of breading.

Step 3: Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F.

Carefully add the chicken in batches, leaving a little room between the pieces.

Fry for approximately 4–5 minutes, turning as needed, until the chicken is golden and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack while you finish the remaining batches.

I like using a wire rack instead of piling everything onto paper towels. It allows the air to circulate around the chicken and helps keep that coating crispy.

Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Glaze

In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger if using.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water until smooth.

Slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the simmering glaze.

Cook for another minute or two, stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

You want it thick enough to coat the chicken but still pourable.

Step 5: Toss the Chicken in the Glaze

Place the crispy chicken into a large mixing bowl.

Pour the warm honey garlic glaze over the chicken and gently toss until every piece is coated.

Don’t let the chicken sit in the glaze too long before serving. That crispy coating is at its best when freshly tossed!

Step 6: Serve Over Wild Rice

While you’re preparing the chicken, cook your wild rice blend according to the package directions.

Spoon the fluffy rice onto a serving platter or individual plates.

Arrange the glazed chicken over the rice and sprinkle with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

And there you have it! Crispy, sticky, sweet, garlicky chicken bites over delicious wild rice.

Now that’s ridic-ulicious!

Tips for the Best Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

Keep your oil at the right temperature. Around 350°F works well. If the oil is too cool, the coating can absorb more oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the outside may brown before the chicken cooks through.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Frying in small batches helps maintain the oil temperature and gives the chicken room to crisp up.

Use a wire rack. This helps prevent steam from softening the bottom of the fried chicken.

Make the glaze separately. I like keeping the chicken and glaze separate until just before serving.

Serve immediately. Once you toss the chicken in the glaze, the coating will gradually soften. It’s still delicious, but that first bite is the crispiest!

Variations and Substitutions

Make It Spicy

Add a teaspoon or two of sriracha or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze for a little heat.

Try Orange Honey Garlic Chicken

Add a couple tablespoons of orange juice and a little orange zest to the glaze for a citrus twist.

Use Chicken Thighs

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well in this recipe. They’re naturally juicy and flavorful. Just make sure the pieces reach 165°F.

Change the Rice

Although I love the nutty flavor of wild rice, you can also serve these chicken bites over jasmine rice, brown rice, or fried rice.

Add Vegetables

Steamed broccoli, snow peas, or green beans would make a delicious addition to this dinner.

FAQ

Can I use cornstarch instead of flour to fry chicken?

Absolutely! Cornstarch creates a lighter, crispier coating than traditional flour breading. It’s especially good for bite-sized chicken pieces that will be tossed in a sauce.

How do I keep honey garlic chicken crispy?

The biggest trick is to wait until just before serving to add the glaze. Also, avoid overcrowding the skillet while frying and let the cooked chicken rest on a wire rack instead of stacking it.

Can I make crispy honey garlic chicken ahead of time?

You can prepare the glaze ahead of time and refrigerate it. However, I recommend frying the chicken shortly before serving for the best texture. Keep the sauce separate until you’re ready to eat.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

If possible, keep the glaze separate from any chicken you haven’t coated yet. This makes reheating much easier.

For the best results, reheat the chicken in an air fryer at 350°F for approximately 3–5 minutes, or until heated through to 165°F. The oven works too, although it may take a little longer.

Already glazed chicken can be reheated, but the coating won’t be quite as crispy as when freshly made.

Store leftover wild rice separately in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days. Reheat thoroughly until steaming hot.

What to Serve with Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

I think a wild rice blend is the perfect match for this chicken. The rice has a slightly nutty flavor that goes so well with the sweet and savory glaze.

If you’re looking to round out the meal, try serving it with:

• Steamed broccoli
• Roasted green beans
• Sautéed sugar snap peas
• A simple cucumber salad
• Roasted carrots

You really don’t need anything fancy. The chicken has plenty of flavor all on its own!

A Homemade Dinner Worth Bringing Back

I’m so glad I remembered this old way of making crispy chicken. Sometimes those simple recipes we made years ago are the ones worth bringing back.

And adding this homemade honey garlic glaze? Well, that makes it even better!

If you give these Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave me a comment below and let me know whether you served yours over wild rice or tried something different.

And don’t forget to save this recipe for the next time you’re craving a delicious homemade chicken dinner.

Happy cooking, and let’s mix it up!

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