When I made this Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken, the smell of fried chicken and sweet garlic sauce filled the air.
Each piece came out golden and crispy, coated in that sticky honey glaze that clings just right.
I remember biting in—the crunch, the sweetness, the little kick of garlic—it was perfect.
This chicken is bold, crispy, and full of flavor.
It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone ask for seconds.
Let’s make it together—you’ll love how crunchy and delicious it turns out.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Crunch: The double coating creates an extra crispy texture that stays crunchy even after glazing.
- Sweet and Savory Balance: Honey and garlic come together in perfect harmony with hints of soy and ginger.
- Easy to Master: Simple steps lead to impressive results that look and taste like takeout.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike love the mild sweetness and satisfying crunch.
- Great for Gatherings: Serve as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: This recipe makes 4-6 servings, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. One large breast can serve two people when sliced.
Difficulty: Moderate. The double coating requires attention, but the steps are straightforward and beginner-friendly.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Large mixing bowls (2-3)
- Shallow dishes for dredging
- Meat mallet or rolling pin
- Large skillet or deep pan for frying
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Small saucepan for the sauce
- Paper towels
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
These simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary. The double flour coating locks in moisture while the honey garlic sauce adds layers of flavor.
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: 3-4 large breasts, pounded to even thickness
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups, divided for the double coating
- Eggs: 2 large eggs
- Water: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon
- Ground Ginger: 1/2 teaspoon
- Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
- Thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
- Sage: 1/2 teaspoon
- Cayenne Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Canola Oil: For frying (about 1 cup)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced
- Honey: 1/3 cup
- Soy Sauce: 3 tablespoons
- Water: 2 tablespoons
Variations for Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken
- Spicier Version: Add more cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the flour mixture or sauce.
- Extra Garlicky: Double the garlic in the sauce for bold garlic lovers.
- Sesame Twist: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the glazed chicken.
- Lemon Brightness: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the sauce for tang.
- Different Protein: Try this coating method with chicken tenders or boneless thighs.
How to Make Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces. Use a meat mallet to pound them to about 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking.
2. Set Up Your Coating Station
In the first shallow dish, mix 1 cup of flour with salt, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, thyme, sage, cayenne, and paprika. In a second dish, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons of water. Place the remaining 1 cup of plain flour in a third dish.
3. Double Coat the Chicken
Take each chicken piece and coat it first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg wash, letting extra drip off. Coat it again in the plain flour, then back into the egg wash, and finally one more time in the seasoned flour. This creates the signature double crunch.
4. Fry the Chicken
Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to about 350°F. Carefully place coated chicken pieces in the hot oil without crowding. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove to paper towels to drain.
5. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
While the chicken rests, heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Glaze and Serve
Place the fried chicken in a large bowl. Pour the warm honey garlic sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat every piece evenly.
Serving and Decoration
How to Serve Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken
This versatile dish works well with many sides and presentations:
- With Rice: Serve over steamed white rice or fried rice to soak up the extra sauce.
- As an Appetizer: Cut into smaller pieces and serve with toothpicks at parties.
- In a Bowl: Create a rice bowl with steamed vegetables and extra sauce drizzled on top.
- With Noodles: Toss with lo mein or chow mein noodles for a complete meal.
- Alongside Veggies: Pair with stir-fried broccoli, green beans, or snap peas.
Garnish Ideas: Sprinkle with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh parsley for color and flavor.
Storing Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce separate if possible to maintain crispiness.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid the microwave as it makes the coating soft.
- Freezing: Freeze unglazed fried chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before adding fresh sauce.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Temperature Matters: Keep your oil at a steady 350°F. Too hot and the coating burns; too cool and it gets greasy.
- Don’t Skip the Double Coating: The extra layers create the special crunch that makes this recipe stand out.
- Pound Evenly: Uniform thickness means every piece cooks at the same rate.
- Rest Before Glazing: Let fried chicken rest for 2-3 minutes before tossing in sauce so it stays crispier longer.
- Make Sauce Ahead: The honey garlic sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance and reheated when needed.
- Work in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan, which lowers oil temperature and creates soggy chicken.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1/6 recipe) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 145mg |
| Sodium | 580mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 14g |
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
PrintDouble Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: This is a Main Dish recipe, specifically Asian-Inspired Chicken Entree.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3–4 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon sage
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup canola oil (for frying)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup (80ml) honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces. Pound to 1/2 inch thickness with a meat mallet.
- Create Coating Stations: In the first dish, combine 1 cup flour with all spices (salt, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, thyme, sage, cayenne, paprika). In the second dish, whisk eggs and 2 tablespoons water. Place remaining 1 cup plain flour in a third dish.
- Double Coat: Dredge each chicken piece in seasoned flour, then egg wash, then plain flour, back to egg wash, and finally seasoned flour again. This double coating is key to the crunch.
- Fry Chicken: Heat canola oil in a large skillet to 350°F over medium-high heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels.
- Make Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Glaze: Place fried chicken in a large bowl. Pour honey garlic sauce over chicken and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately while the coating is at its crispiest. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken FAQs
Yes. Place coated chicken on a greased baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The texture will be different but still delicious.
Glaze right before serving and avoid letting the chicken sit too long in the sauce. The crunch will soften over time as the sauce soaks in.
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless thighs work wonderfully and stay even juicier. Adjust cooking time as needed.
The main flavors come from the honey garlic sauce. You can simplify the coating to just flour, salt, and pepper if needed.
Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use tamari instead of soy sauce.
