Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl

Craving that takeout-style crunch with a sticky, sweet-savory glaze that hits every note just right? Look no further than this Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl. It’s the ultimate balance of textures and flavors—golden-fried chicken bites tossed in a glossy honey garlic sauce, served alongside fragrant jasmine rice and umami-packed stir-fried noodles. This recipe brings your favorite Asian-inspired bowl to life right in your kitchen—no delivery needed. Plus, it’s easy to customize and better than takeout!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breast, cut into chunks
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Oil for frying

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
• Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

For the Sides:

• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
• 2 cups stir-fried noodles with bell peppers, onion, and soy sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. Place chicken chunks in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Let marinate for 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor).

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

1. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in the flour mixture until well-coated.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-6 minutes. Drain on a wire rack.

Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, and brown sugar.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) and cook until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
4. Add red pepper flakes if desired for heat.

Step 5: Toss & Assemble

1. In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken in the honey garlic sauce until fully coated.
2. Plate with jasmine rice and stir-fried noodles. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Variations

• Make it spicy: Add sriracha or gochujang to the sauce.
• Air fryer method: Cook chicken at 400°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Swap protein: Use shrimp or tofu in place of chicken.
• Low-carb version: Serve with cauliflower rice and veggie stir-fry instead.

Cooking Note

• Double-fry the chicken for extra crunch that lasts longer in the sauce.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying to maintain oil temperature.
• Use fresh garlic for best flavor, not garlic powder in the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This crispy honey garlic chicken bowl is ideal for meal prep, takeout-style dinners, or weekend family feasts. Pair it with sesame broccoli, a cucumber salad, or even a fried egg for a deluxe twist. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped scallions for an extra pop of flavor and presentation.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Store leftover chicken and sides separately in airtight containers. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispiness. Freeze plain fried chicken (unsauced) for up to 2 months and toss in fresh sauce before serving.

Timing

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinade time)

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 710 kcal

Protein: 38 g

Sodium: 950 mg

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Use skinless chicken breast and bake or air-fry instead of deep frying. Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa. Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and skipping added salt. Cut honey and sugar amounts in half for a lighter sauce.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using wet batter: Dry dredging gives crispier results that hold up to sauce.
• Not draining on a rack: Paper towels can trap steam and soften the crust.
• Overcooking chicken: Keep pieces uniform and don’t over-fry.
• Adding sauce too early: Toss chicken in sauce just before serving to keep it crispy.

Conclusion

This Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl is the perfect fusion of texture and taste. Whether you’re recreating a restaurant favorite or impressing guests, this bowl is your ticket to crunchy, saucy, and satisfying bliss. Pair with your favorite sides, tweak the heat, and enjoy the compliments that are sure to follow!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use chicken tenders or breast instead of thighs?
A: Absolutely—just make sure to cut evenly sized pieces for uniform frying.

Q2: Is there a baked version of this recipe?
A: Yes! Bake at 425°F for 25–30 minutes or until golden and crisp, flipping halfway.

Q3: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free flour and tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.

Q4: How do I keep it crispy longer?
A: Double fry the chicken and only toss in sauce right before serving.

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl

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• Author: Mery Johnston
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Crispy fried chicken tossed in sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce, served with jasmine rice and savory noodles — better than takeout in one bowl.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breast, cut into chunks

1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup flour

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt & pepper, to taste

Oil for frying

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)

Red pepper flakes (optional)

2 cups cooked jasmine rice

2 cups stir-fried noodles with peppers, onion & soy sauce

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Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.

2. Mix cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for dredging.

3. Coat chicken in flour mixture. Heat oil to 350°F and fry chicken until golden.

4. In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and brown sugar. Simmer.

5. Add cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Add red pepper flakes if desired.

6. Toss fried chicken in sauce and serve with jasmine rice and noodles.

Notes

Double-fry the chicken for extra crunch.

Use an air fryer or bake for a healthier version.

Store chicken and sauce separately to keep crispy when reheating.

Try shrimp or tofu as a protein alternative.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Fried
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 710
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 120mg