Name: Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken tenders; ½ tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper; 3 tbsp cornstarch; 1/4 cup chicken stock; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1/3 cup honey; 1 tbsp garlic chili crisp (optional); 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 large cloves minced garlic; 2 tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

Just imagine tender chicken pieces glazed in a luscious, sticky sauce with the perfect balance of sweet honey and savory garlic. That’s exactly what this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe delivers — a home-cooked bowl of comfort you’ll want to make again and again.

A white round plate on a white marbled surface holds a dish with three main layers. The bottom layer is fluffy white rice spread evenly across the plate. On top of the rice, there are several pieces of glazed chicken with a shiny, dark reddish-brown sauce that looks sticky and rich, sprinkled with small green herb bits. To the side of the rice and chicken, there are bright green broccoli florets arranged neatly, adding a fresh color contrast to the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe quickly became one of my go-to weeknight dinners because it’s fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Seriously, the sticky, garlicky sauce that coats the chicken is something to write home about!

Simple ingredients: No crazy hard-to-find stuff here, so it’s perfect for any trip to the grocery store.
Perfectly balanced flavor: Sweet honey, savory garlic, and a hint of spice come together beautifully.
Quick to make: Everything comes together in about 30 minutes — ideal for busy days.
Versatile and customizable: You can easily tweak the spice level or swap in your favorite veggies.

A white bowl holds a bed of white, fluffy rice as the bottom layer. On top of the rice, several pieces of golden-brown chicken are placed, covered with a shiny, sticky orange-brown sauce that glistens under the light. The chicken pieces are sprinkled with small green herb leaves and red chili flakes, adding pops of green and red on the surface. To the side of the bowl, bright green broccoli adds a fresh color contrast. A silver spoon above the bowl is shown pouring extra glossy sauce over the chicken. The bowl and its contents sit on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe plays a crucial role, making the dish both flavorful and easy to prepare. When shopping, keep an eye out for fresh garlic and good-quality honey, as these elevate the taste the most.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken tenders, a small mound of fine white cornstarch on a white ceramic plate, two whole brown eggs, a few large unpeeled garlic cloves, a small handful of finely chopped fresh green parsley, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of pale amber rice vinegar, a small white bowl of light brown chicken stock, a small white bowl of deep red garlic chili crisp, a small white bowl of bright red chili flakes, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a few sprigs of fresh green broccoli florets, a small pile of uncooked white rice grains, two halves of unsalted butter on a white ceramic dish, coarse salt and fresh cracked black pepper scattered artistically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken tenders: Tender and quick-cooking, they soak up the sauce perfectly without drying out.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning basics that bring out the natural flavor of the chicken.
Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy coating on the chicken and helps thicken the sauce later on.
Olive oil: A neutral base for cooking that adds a subtle richness.
Unsalted butter: Adds depth and coats the garlic for a buttery, aromatic foundation.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable here for that bold, fragrant punch.
Chicken stock: Gives body to the sauce without overpowering it.
Rice vinegar: Provides a mild tang that balances the sweetness.
Light soy sauce: Adds essential umami and salty depth.
Garlic chili crisp (optional): If you like a bit of heat and texture, this little addition is magic.
Honey: The star of the show for that sticky, sweet glaze.
Fresh parsley: Brightens things up with a fresh herbal note.
Red pepper flakes: Adds a gentle kick—adjust to your spice comfort level.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often switch things up depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry, and I encourage you to do the same. This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe is incredibly forgiving and open to personalization — that’s part of the fun!

Variation: Once, I swapped chicken tenders for firm tofu, and tossed in snap peas — the sauce clung beautifully and it made for an excellent vegetarian version.
Spice level: Feel free to dial back the red pepper flakes or garlic chili crisp if you’re sensitive to heat.
Veggie add-ins: Broccoli or bell peppers work great if you want to sneak in extra greens right in the stir-fry.
Sweetener swaps: If you don’t have honey, maple syrup or brown sugar can give a lovely twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce

Start by mixing the chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey in a medium bowl. If the honey feels a little thick or won’t incorporate easily, warming the mixture in the microwave for about 30 seconds helps everything emulsify smoothly. If you’re using garlic chili crisp, stir it in now. Set this aside—you’ll return to it later for that luscious, sticky coat.

Step 2: Season and Coat the Chicken

Sprinkle your chicken tenders evenly with salt and pepper, then toss them gently in cornstarch. This little coating trick crisps up the chicken when it hits the hot skillet, sealing in that juicy tenderness.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in batches if you need to—crowding the pan will steam rather than sear. Each piece should only take about 1-2 minutes per side to get a light golden color. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. This step is crucial for that beautiful texture, so don’t rush it!

Step 4: Build the Sauce Base

Lower the heat to medium-low and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant—about one minute. Be careful not to burn it; that would add bitterness and no one wants that. Pour in your sauce mixture, stirring to combine it with the garlic butter aroma.

Step 5: Simmer Chicken in Sauce

Pop the chicken pieces back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Turn the heat to low and let everything simmer gently for around 10 minutes. This slow simmer lets the sauce reduce to a sticky gloss and the chicken soak up all that garlicky, sweet goodness.

Step 6: Final Touches Before Serving

Sprinkle red pepper flakes for your desired heat level and finish everything off with a scattering of fresh, finely chopped parsley. It adds a bright touch and fresh aroma that cuts through the richness beautifully. Serve this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry over steamed rice with a side of broccoli for the complete experience.

Top Tip

After perfecting this recipe a few times, I've learned a couple of things that make a huge difference in the outcome. These little tricks helped me capture restaurant-level flavor that you can easily replicate at home.

Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It’s the secret behind that slightly crispy bite on the chicken which contrasts nicely with the sticky sauce.
Cook Chicken in Batches: Crowding the pan lowers the temperature and leads to soggy chicken. Patience here gives you that perfect golden crust.
Use Fresh Garlic: Minced garlic cooked just until fragrant adds so much more flavor than garlic powder.
Simmer Slowly: Letting the sauce reduce slowly thickens it naturally without burning the sugars in the honey.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

honey garlic chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley — it adds a fresh pop of color and a mild herbal brightness that rounds out the dish. Sometimes I throw on extra red pepper flakes if we’re craving a bit more heat.

Side Dishes

Steamed broccoli is my go-to because it’s light, nutritious, and its mild flavor allows the honey garlic chicken to shine. You can’t go wrong with fluffy white rice or jasmine rice to soak up that sticky sauce. Sometimes I swap broccoli for snap peas or green beans for added crunch and color.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I like to serve this stir-fry in little lettuce cups for a fun handheld version. Another time, I poured the chicken and sauce over a bed of garlic fried rice, which took it to another level entirely. Presentation-wise, you can keep it simple or get creative with edible flowers or sesame seeds for some extra flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep well for up to three days. The sauce thickens in the fridge, so I recommend warming gently and stirring well before eating to bring back that saucy goodness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions of this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe successfully. Just cool completely, freeze in single portions, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The texture holds up surprisingly well, making it great for meal prep.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers over low to medium heat in a skillet to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of water or chicken stock while warming helps loosen the sauce, restoring that glossy texture. Microwaving works too, just stir halfway through for even heating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?

Yes! Chicken breasts can be used, but I recommend slicing them into thin strips to cook evenly and stay tender. Using tenders just cuts down on prep time since they’re already the right size.

How spicy is this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe?

The recipe includes red pepper flakes and optional garlic chili crisp for heat, but you can easily control the spiciness by adjusting or skipping these ingredients. For milder tastes, reduce or omit the chili elements.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and double-check that your garlic chili crisp (if using) is gluten-free as well. Cornstarch and other ingredients here are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy swap.

What should I serve with honey garlic chicken stir-fry?

Steamed white or jasmine rice is a classic side, perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce. Steamed or roasted broccoli adds a nice crunch and freshness, but feel free to pair it with any veggies you like, such as snap peas, bell peppers, or green beans.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s comforting without feeling heavy, and it’s so straightforward to put together after a long day. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s like a big hug in a bowl, and I’m pretty sure it’ll become a staple on your weekly menu once you try it!