Description
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are tender pieces of boneless chicken breasts or thighs cooked to golden perfection and coated in a glossy, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. This quick and easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer, garnished with fresh scallions for a burst of color and taste.
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 the Chicken: Pat the 1 1/2 pounds of chopped boneless, skinless chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season all over evenly with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, and 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar until well combined. Set aside.
- Brown the First Batch of Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of the chicken pieces in a single layer without crowding. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and the chicken releases easily from the pan, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces and cook the second side until also golden, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate; note some pieces may not be fully cooked yet.
- Brown the Remaining Chicken: Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil to the skillet and repeat the browning process with the other half of the chicken pieces. Once browned, transfer them to the plate with the first batch.
- Cook Garlic and Combine: Return all the browned chicken pieces and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the 4 minced garlic cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Increase the heat to medium-high.
- Add and Reduce Sauce: Pour the prepared honey-soy sauce over the chicken. Cook while spooning the sauce over the pieces, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly, become glossy, and reduce by about half. This should take 3 to 4 minutes, during which the chicken finishes cooking through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with thinly sliced scallions if desired, and serve immediately for a deliciously saucy meal.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful bite, or breasts for a leaner option.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure better browning.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when browning chicken to get a nice golden crust.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve with steamed rice, quinoa, or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
