Hot Honey Chicken Bites Recipe
Introduction
Hot Honey Chicken Bites are crispy, flavorful, and have the perfect balance of sweet heat. This dish combines tender chicken with a spicy honey sauce, making it a delicious snack or appetizer for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 kilo chicken, cut into bite-sized cubes
- Marinade:
- 1 egg white
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp oil (remove 1 tbsp from the dry mix)
- Dry mix:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Hot honey sauce:
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Oil for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the dry mix by whisking together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Step 2: Combine the marinade ingredients—egg white, cornstarch, mirin, soy sauce, and ½ tbsp oil—in a separate bowl. Remove 1 and a half tablespoons of the marinade and whisk it into the dry mix.
- Step 3: Add the chicken cubes to the remaining marinade, stirring to coat well. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.
- Step 4: Once marinated, coat each chicken piece thoroughly in the dry mix.
- Step 5: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy, then drain on paper towels and set aside.
- Step 6: In a clean wok or pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 7: Add the honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika to the pan. Stir to combine and heat until the sauce simmers.
- Step 8: Toss the fried chicken pieces in the hot honey sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately, optionally sprinkled with crushed chili flakes for extra heat.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, double dredge the chicken by dipping it back into the marinade and dry mix before frying.
- Adjust the sriracha to control the spiciness of the sauce to your preference.
- Use fresh garlic rather than garlic powder in the sauce for a more pronounced flavor.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Storage
Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer to preserve crispiness. The sauce can be refrigerated separately and gently warmed before tossing with the chicken again.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chicken for this recipe?
Yes, chicken breast or thigh meat can be used; however, thigh meat tends to be juicier and more flavorful after frying.
Is it necessary to marinate the chicken overnight?
No, marinating for at least 15 minutes will still impart good flavor, but marinating overnight enhances tenderness and depth of taste.
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Hot Honey Chicken Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Chicken Bites featuring tender chicken cubes marinated and coated in a special dry mix, deep-fried to golden perfection and tossed in a sweet, spicy, and garlicky hot honey sauce for an irresistible appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 Kilo Chicken, cut into cubes
- 1 Egg white
- 2 Tbs Cornstarch
- 2 Tbs Mirin
- 1 Tbs Soy sauce
- ½ Tbs Oil
Dry Mix
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 cup Cornstarch
- ½ tsp Baking powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 and ½ Tbs of marinade (reserved from the marinade mixture)
Hot Honey Sauce
- ⅓ cup Honey
- 2 Tbs Sriracha
- 5 cloves Garlic, chopped
- ⅓ cup Rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 Tbs Oil (for sautéing garlic)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mix: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until fully combined. Add one and a half tablespoons of the marinade mixture to this dry mix and whisk until smooth.
- Make Marinade and Marinate Chicken: Combine egg white, cornstarch, mirin, soy sauce, and half a tablespoon of oil. Reserve one tablespoon of this marinade for the dry mix. Add the chicken cubes to the remaining marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.
- Coat Chicken in Dry Mix: Once marinated, dredge each chicken piece thoroughly in the prepared dry mix so they are evenly coated.
- Fry Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until they turn golden brown and crispy, approximately 4-6 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Set aside.
- Prepare Hot Honey Sauce: In a wok or frying pan, heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant. Stir in honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken bites to the hot honey sauce in the pan and toss well to ensure each piece is coated thoroughly. Serve immediately while hot. Optionally, finish with a sprinkle of crushed chili flakes for extra heat.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor and more tender bites.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil at 350°F (175°C) for perfect frying.
- The hot honey sauce can be adjusted to taste by varying the amount of sriracha for spice.
- Crushed chili flakes are optional but add an additional layer of heat and texture.
- Use a light oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable or peanut oil for frying.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Hot honey chicken bites, crispy chicken, spicy chicken appetizer, sweet and spicy chicken, fried chicken bites
