Honey Chilli Chicken Recipe – Quick & Tasty!
This crispy honey chilli chicken recipe is the perfect alternative to Chinese takeaway-style dishes. It’s irresistibly tasty and surprisingly simple to make. The dish uses everyday ingredients that are easily found in your pantry, making it a versatile option for any occasion. The chicken pieces are double fried until golden and crispy for maximum crunchiness. The sauce combines the flavors of sweet honey, spicy chili, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic. It can be adjusted to your preferred heat level by adding more or fewer chili slices. The dish is garnished with fresh red chili slices, spring onions, and chopped coriander for added flavor and color. Serve this delicious honey chili chicken with rice for a complete meal.
Key Takeaways:
- This honey chilli chicken recipe is a quick and tasty alternative to Chinese takeaway-style dishes.
- It uses everyday ingredients that are easily found in your pantry.
- The chicken is double fried until golden and crispy for maximum crunchiness.
- The sauce combines sweet honey, spicy chili, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic.
- Adjust the heat level of the dish to your preference by adding more or fewer chili slices.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make this honey chilli chicken recipe, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts diced into large chunks. The chicken is coated in a seasoned flour mixture made with cornstarch or plain flour. It is then fried in vegetable oil until golden and crispy.
For the sauce, you will need sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, water, lime juice, cornflour, honey, ginger, and garlic. These ingredients are whisked together to create a thick and flavorful sauce.
To garnish the dish, you can use fresh red chili slices, spring onions, and chopped coriander.
Now that we have the ingredients ready, let’s move on to the preparation.
Cooking the Chicken
To fry the chicken, heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Make sure to use enough oil to fully submerge the chicken pieces. It is important to maintain the correct oil temperature to achieve crispy and delicious results. The ideal temperature for frying chicken is between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C). Too low of a temperature will result in oily and soggy chicken, while too high of a temperature can lead to burnt and unevenly cooked chicken.
Once the oil is heated to the right temperature, carefully add the chicken pieces in batches, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This allows the chicken to cook evenly and maintain its crispiness. Use a pair of tongs to gently turn the chicken pieces to ensure they are evenly fried on all sides.
Pro Tip: To test if the oil is hot enough, you can use a wooden chopstick or the handle end of a wooden spoon. Insert it into the oil, and if bubbles start forming around the wood and rising to the surface, it indicates that the oil is hot enough for frying.
While frying the chicken, keep an eye on the color and texture. The chicken should turn golden brown and have a crispy exterior. It typically takes about 8-10 minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly, but this may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil. This step helps to ensure the chicken stays crispy.
Pro Tip: If you’re preparing a large batch of honey chilli chicken, you can keep the cooked chicken warm in a preheated oven at a low temperature while frying the remaining batches.
Creating the Perfect Sauce Consistency
The sauce for honey chilli chicken should have a thick and sticky consistency to coat the fried chicken pieces. To achieve this, start by combining the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, water, lime juice, cornflour, honey, ginger, and garlic in a saucepan.
Set the pan over medium heat and whisk the mixture continuously until it begins to thicken. You want the sauce to have a glossy and slightly thickened consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by adding a splash of chicken broth or water. If the sauce becomes too thin, you can simmer it for a few more minutes or add a small amount of cornflour mixed with water as a thickening agent.
Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. The residual heat will continue to thicken the sauce slightly as it cools.
Now that you know how to fry the chicken to perfection and create the ideal sauce consistency, the next section will share some useful tips and variations to enhance your honey chilli chicken recipe.
Tips and Variations
Here are a few tips and variations for making honey chilli chicken:
Adjust the spiciness of the dish by adding more or fewer chilli slices and removing the seeds to reduce heat.
Consider adding thinly sliced bell peppers or carrots for added color and crunch.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat using a stovetop and add a splash of water or chicken broth to bring back the sauce’s consistency.
If you want to spice up your honey chilli chicken recipe, try these variations:
Add a tablespoon of sesame oil to the sauce mixture for a nutty flavor.
Replace the chicken with prawns or tofu for a seafood or vegetarian version.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavors. The honey chilli chicken recipe is versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
“The possibilities are endless!”
To serve your honey chilli chicken, garnish with sliced spring onions and chopped fresh coriander for a burst of freshness and added visual appeal.
Now that you have learned some tips and variations, you can make your honey chilli chicken recipe even more delicious and unique!
Nutritional Information
When it comes to enjoying honey chilli chicken, it’s essential to consider its nutritional information. Each serving of honey chilli chicken, which amounts to approximately 250g, contains approximately 249 calories. This dish offers a well-balanced ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and fat for a satisfying meal. Moreover, it is relatively low in cholesterol and sodium, making it a healthier alternative to many other takeaway options.
Honey chilli chicken also packs a punch in terms of essential vitamins and minerals. It is a valuable source of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and supports overall health. Additionally, this dish contains iron, an essential mineral that contributes to the production of red blood cells and helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
With its perfectly balanced combination of flavors and nutritional benefits, honey chilli chicken can be enjoyed guilt-free as part of a balanced diet.
| Nutritional Information per Serving (250g) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 249 |
| Carbohydrates | 23g |
| Protein | 21g |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 36mg |
| Sodium | 456mg |
| Vitamin C | 22mg |
| Iron | 1.6mg |
Conclusion
In conclusion, this honey chilli chicken recipe provides a quick and tasty alternative to Chinese takeaway-style dishes. It’s a simple dish that can be easily prepared with everyday ingredients, making it convenient for any home cook. By adjusting the level of spiciness, you can customize the recipe to suit your personal preferences.
The key to achieving the perfect honey chilli chicken lies in the double frying technique, which ensures that the chicken pieces are beautifully crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. The sweet and spicy sauce, made with a blend of honey, chili, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic, adds a delicious flavor profile to the dish.
To enhance the presentation and taste, consider garnishing the honey chilli chicken with fresh red chili slices, spring onions, and chopped coriander. Serving it alongside a portion of rice completes the meal and allows you to savor the delectable combination of sweet and spice.
So why not give this homemade honey chilli chicken recipe a try? Experience the satisfaction of creating a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. With its unbeatable taste and versatility, this dish is sure to become a favorite among your family and friends.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to make honey chilli chicken?
To make honey chilli chicken, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cornstarch or plain flour, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, water, lime juice, cornflour, honey, ginger, garlic, and vegetable oil.
How do I prepare honey chilli chicken?
Start by coating the chicken in a seasoned flour mixture, then fry it in vegetable oil until golden and crispy. For the sauce, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, water, lime juice, cornflour, honey, ginger, and garlic. Garnish with fresh red chili slices, spring onions, and chopped coriander.
How do I cook the chicken for honey chilli chicken?
Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken in batches until golden and cooked through. Use a wooden chopstick or the handle end of a wooden spoon to test if the oil is hot enough. The chicken should be crispy without becoming greasy.
How do I adjust the spiciness of honey chilli chicken?
You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chili slices and removing the seeds to reduce the heat. This allows you to customize the dish to your preferred taste.
Can I add vegetables to honey chilli chicken?
Yes, you can add thinly sliced bell peppers or carrots to honey chilli chicken for added color and crunch. This variation can enhance the dish’s flavor and texture.
How do I store leftovers of honey chilli chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, use a stovetop and add a splash of water or chicken broth to bring back the sauce’s consistency.
What is the nutritional information of honey chilli chicken?
Each serving of honey chilli chicken (approximately 250g) contains approximately 249 calories. It provides a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, with minimal cholesterol and sodium. The dish also offers essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and iron.
