Honey Chilli Chicken

Featured in Explore Global Flavors and Dishes.

This Honey Chilli Chicken recipe brings the popular Chinese takeaway dish into your home kitchen. The dish features tender chicken pieces coated in a light, crispy batter that's fried to golden perfection. What makes this recipe special is the sauce - a perfectly balanced blend of sweet honey, tangy lemon, spicy chilli, and aromatic ginger that coats each piece of chicken. The cooking technique creates that authentic restaurant-style texture with a satisfying crunch that gives way to juicy chicken inside. Finished with fresh spring onions and sesame seeds, this dish pairs perfectly with egg fried rice for a complete meal that rivals any takeaway.
Home Delicious Recipes
Updated on Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:23:45 GMT
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Honey Chilli Chicken | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Create restaurant-quality honey chili chicken at home with this irresistible recipe that balances sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors perfectly. This dish transforms simple chicken into crispy, golden bites coated in a glossy sauce that clings to every morsel. It's the perfect solution when you're craving Chinese takeout but want something fresher and more flavorful.

After mastering Chinese cooking techniques, I discovered that controlling the frying temperature and creating the proper batter consistency are key to achieving that authentic restaurant-quality result.

Essential Components

  • Chicken Preparation: Slicing chicken breast thinly ensures quick, even cooking
  • Batter Consistency: The right thickness coats chicken without becoming heavy
  • Frying Temperature: Proper heat creates the perfect golden exterior
  • Sauce Balance: Equal attention to sweet, sour, and spicy elements
  • Garnish Freshness: Green onions add color, flavor and texture contrast
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Easy Honey Chilli Chicken Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect The Batter:
Combine dry ingredients thoroughly before adding water. The consistency should be thick enough to coat chicken but thin enough to create a light coating.
Master The Fry:
Maintain oil at proper temperature throughout frying. Test with a drop of batter - it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.
Build The Sauce Base:
Sauté ginger and chili briefly to release their aromatic oils. This creates the foundation for a complex-flavored sauce.
Create The Consistency:
Add the cornstarch slurry gradually while stirring constantly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon without being too thick.
Combine With Timing:
Toss fried chicken in the sauce just before serving to maintain maximum crispness while ensuring complete coverage.

When I serve this dish at gatherings, everyone is amazed that something so authentic-tasting came from my kitchen rather than a restaurant. The vibrant colors and enticing aroma create excitement before the first bite is even taken.

Perfect Pairings

Complete your homemade Chinese feast with complementary sides. Steamed jasmine rice soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly. For a lighter option, serve with stir-fried vegetables like bok choy or broccoli. Adding a simple cucumber salad provides refreshing contrast to the rich chicken.

Creative Variations

Adapt this versatile recipe to suit your preferences. Add bell peppers and onions to create a more substantial dish. Incorporate pineapple chunks for a sweet-sour variation. Make it extra spicy by adding Sichuan peppercorns or chili oil. For a healthier version, use air-fried or pan-fried chicken instead of deep-frying.

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Honey Chilli Chicken Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Storage Success

Enjoy this dish at its best immediately after preparing. If storing leftovers, keep the sauce separate from any unused fried chicken. Reheat chicken in an oven or air fryer to restore crispness, then toss with rewarmed sauce.

Through countless iterations of this recipe, I've discovered that attention to detail creates restaurant-quality results at home. This dish proves that with the right techniques and ingredients, you can create Chinese food that rivals or even surpasses your favorite takeout.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, you can reduce or omit the fresh chilli and use less sweet chilli sauce for a milder version.
→ Can I use an air fryer instead of deep frying?
Yes, though the texture will differ. Spray the battered chicken with oil and cook at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway.
→ What can I substitute for Chinese Five Spice?
You can make a simple substitute with equal parts cinnamon, star anise, and ground cloves.
→ How long will leftovers keep?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The chicken won't be as crispy when reheated.
→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work well and often stay juicier than breast meat.

Chinese Honey Chilli Chicken

A delicious Chinese takeaway favorite featuring crispy battered chicken pieces tossed in a sweet, tangy, and spicy honey chilli sauce.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: World Cuisine

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Chinese

Yield: 2 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 vegetable oil, around 750ml (3 cups)
02 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced

→ Batter

03 30g (1/4 cup) self-raising flour
04 60g (1/2 cup) cornstarch
05 1.25ml (1/4 tsp) salt
06 1.25ml (1/4 tsp) sugar
07 2.5ml (1/2 tsp) Chinese Five Spice powder
08 125ml (1/2 cup) water

→ Sauce

09 15ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil
10 1 red chilli, washed and finely chopped
11 2.5cm fresh ginger root, grated
12 1 lemon, juiced
13 15ml (1 tbsp) sweet chilli sauce
14 15ml (1 tbsp) soy sauce
15 30ml (2 tbsp) honey
16 80ml (1/3 cup) water
17 10ml (2 tsp) cornstarch

→ Garnish

18 4 spring onions, cleaned and chopped
19 10ml (2 tsp) sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

Heat enough oil in a wok to be able to submerge the chicken pieces.

Step 02

Mix all the batter ingredients in a large bowl.

Step 03

Test the temperature of the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into the wok. If it immediately floats to the top and starts sizzling, it's ready.

Step 04

Dredge the chicken in the batter and fry it in batches for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 05

Discard the oil and clean the wok.

Step 06

Heat the fresh oil in the wok and gently fry the ginger and chilli for two minutes. Add the lemon juice, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and honey. Let the mixture reach a slow bubble point.

Step 07

Make a slurry, by adding the water and cornstarch to a cup and mixing until all the lumps have gone. Turn up the heat, pour the slurry into the wok and stir vigorously. At first the sauce will be cloudy but after a minute or so, everything will come together and the sauce's colour will return.

Step 08

Tip in the chicken pieces and stir until everything is covered. Serve with plain white rice, topped with spring onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

  1. For best results, you'll need to deep fry the chicken. If you're health conscious, you can pan fry the chicken in much less oil.

Tools You'll Need

  • Wok
  • Slotted spoon
  • Paper towels
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten (self-raising flour)
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)
  • Contains sesame (sesame seeds)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 379
  • Total Fat: 17.3 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 48.6 g
  • Protein: 9.1 g