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Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Garlic Butter Rice

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These crispy honey garlic chicken bites are coated in a light, crunchy batter and tossed in a sticky, garlicky honey sauce, served over fluffy garlic butter rice. It’s a comforting, easy dinner that delivers restaurant-level flavor in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 large eggs
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup long grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch chunks. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and paprika. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until frothy.
  3. Dip each chicken piece first in egg, then in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat all sides. Set coated chicken on a plate.
  4. Pour enough oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to reach about 1 inch depth. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F.
  5. Add chicken pieces in small batches. Fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and chili flakes. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  7. Place fried chicken bites in a clean bowl. Pour sauce over and toss gently until pieces are glazed and glossy. Let stand 1–2 minutes.
  8. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and cook minced garlic until aromatic (about 1 minute). Add rice and stir to coat. Pour in water or broth and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let rice steam (covered) another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and sprinkle with parsley or green onions.
  9. Spoon rice onto plates, top with crispy honey garlic chicken bites, and garnish with extra parsley or green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend and tamari instead of soy sauce. You can bake the chicken bites at 425°F for 20–25 minutes for a lighter option. Double the honey garlic sauce if you want extra for drizzling. Keep fried chicken warm in a low oven while finishing the rice. Rinse rice before cooking for fluffier grains. Store leftovers separately and reheat chicken in the oven for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken, honey garlic, chicken bites, garlic butter rice, easy dinner, comfort food, Asian-inspired, fried chicken, sticky sauce, quick meal

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