Crispy Honey Chicken
A golden, crunchy, sweet-savory dish inspired by nostalgic family dinners. This Chinese-style crispy honey chicken stays crunchy for hours and is perfect for comforting weeknight meals or special weekend gatherings.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Wire Rack
- Tongs
- Deep Frying Pan
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 300 g chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp Chinese cooking wine
- 2 tsp cornflour cornstarch
Dredging
- 1/2 cup cornflour cornstarch
Stay-Crispy Puffy Batter
- 6 tbsp cornflour
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 7–8 tbsp cold soda water
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Oil for Frying
- 2–3 cups vegetable oil for deep frying
Honey Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1½ tbsp corn syrup or glucose
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp Chinese cooking wine
Garnish
- sesame seeds
- sliced green onions
Instructions
- Mix chicken with soy sauce, Chinese wine, and cornflour. Let marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Coat marinated chicken in cornstarch for dredging.
- In a chilled bowl, whisk together cornflour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cold soda water to make a lumpy batter.
- Heat oil. Dip each chicken piece in batter and fry for about 3 minutes until pale golden. Drain on a wire rack.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes to firm up the crust.
- Fry again in hotter oil for about 90 seconds until golden and crisp. Drain again.
- Simmer honey, corn syrup, soy sauce, and Chinese wine in a saucepan to create a thick glaze.
- Toss the hot chicken in honey sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Double frying is the secret to that unbeatable crispy texture. Use a wire rack instead of paper towels, and serve immediately after glazing for best results.
Nutrition
Calories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 26gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 2mg
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