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Honey Butter Chicken

This Honey Butter Chicken recipe features crispy, double-fried chicken thighs tossed in a savory-sweet honey butter sauce packed with garlic and umami from soy sauce. With its golden, crunchy coating and glossy, buttery glaze, this dish is perfect for serving over rice or alongside your favorite veggies. Easily customizable to suit your preferred sweetness or saltiness, this recipe will become a family favorite!
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Keyword: appetizer ideas, Asian-inspired chicken, butter garlic chicken, chicken thigh recipe, comfort food, crispy fried chicken, double fried chicken, easy chicken dinner, fried chicken recipe, garlicky chicken, glazed chicken thighs, homemade fried chicken, honey butter chicken, honey garlic chicken, honey soy chicken, Korean-style fried chicken, party food, soy sauce glaze, sweet and savory chicken, weeknight dinner recipe
Cost: $

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 2 lb chicken thighs cubed
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup potato starch
  • 2 eggs

For the Sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 tbsp butter divided (2 tbsp used for sauteeing, 4 tbsp added to sauce at end)
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce adjust more or less based on preference
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

to Garnish

  • green onions chopped
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine cubed chicken thighs with salt, white pepper, chicken bouillon powder, and garlic powder. Add in the eggs, flour, and potato starch. Mix until each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the batter.
  • Heat oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, cooking for about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
  • Once the first round of frying is complete, fry the chicken again for another 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. This double-frying method locks in the crunch.
  • In a large pan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and the remaining butter. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
  • The beauty of this sauce is that it’s fully customizable. Prefer a sweeter finish? Add a little more honey. For a deeper savory note, add an extra splash of soy sauce. If you like a more caramelized taste, let the sauce simmer for a minute longer before adding the chicken. Taste as you go to find the perfect balance that suits your preference.
  • Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss it in the honey butter sauce until each piece is evenly coated. Drizzle the sesame oil over the top for extra fragrance.
  • Sprinkle the chicken with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy immediately!