Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 500 grams boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup corn flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Oil for frying (about 2 cups, enough for deep or shallow frying)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon water (to mix with cornstarch)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, corn flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are fully coated, then dredge them into the flour mixture. Press gently to coat well.
- Let the coated chicken sit for a few minutes to allow the batter to set.
2. Fry the Chicken:
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough to fry but not smoking.
- Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes, or until the exterior is crispy and golden brown, and the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the fried chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, and garlic.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until it starts to simmer and the garlic softens, about 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the sauce to thicken it. Stir well and cook for an additional minute until the sauce thickens.
4. Toss the Chicken in Sauce:
- Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken pieces to the pan with the honey garlic sauce.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the sauce, making sure each piece is fully coated with the sticky, sweet sauce.
- If you like some heat, sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes over the chicken and stir to combine.
5. Serve:
- Serve the Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken immediately with a garnish of fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice, sautéed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Tips:
- For extra crispiness, you can double coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg and flour mixture twice before frying.
- You can adjust the level of sweetness and spice in the sauce by increasing or decreasing the honey and red pepper flakes.
