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Sticky Chicken with Caramelized Sauce

Restaurant-quality sticky chicken with a glossy, caramelized sauce made from soy sauce, honey, and garlic. Ready in 35 minutes with minimal fuss and maximum flavor payoff.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Base
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sticky Sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
For Serving
  • 2 green onions sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • Cooked rice or noodles of your choice

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Cutting board and sharp knife
  • Small bowl for mixing sauce
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Meat thermometer
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Cut your chicken into roughly 1.5-inch pieces and pat them dry with paper towels. Mince your garlic and ginger, slice your green onions, and measure out all your sauce ingredients into a small bowl.
  2. Toss the chicken pieces with salt and pepper in a bowl until each piece is lightly coated.
  3. Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Let it heat for about 1 minute until it shimmers.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer. Do not stir for the first 3-4 minutes to create a flavorful crust. Then stir the chicken and cook for another 3-4 minutes until all pieces have light browning on multiple sides.
  5. Push the chicken to the side of the skillet and add your minced garlic and ginger to the empty space. Let them cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring occasionally so they don't burn.
  6. Pour your pre-mixed sauce (the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth) into the skillet with the chicken and aromatics. Stir everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
  7. Reduce heat to medium and let the sauce simmer for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will gradually thicken and become more concentrated as it reduces, coating the chicken in a sticky glaze.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest piece of chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a thermometer, cut into the thickest piece and ensure there's no pink inside. Once cooked through, remove from heat and taste for seasoning.
  9. Transfer the sticky chicken to serving plates or bowls over your choice of rice or noodles. Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

The sauce thickens as it cools, so don't be alarmed if it looks slightly thin when you plate it. Cut chicken into uniform sizes for even cooking. Don't skip patting the chicken dry for best browning. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts and will take 2-3 minutes longer to cook. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.