Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Getting a delicious dinner on the table on busy weeknights can feel like an impossible task. After all, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen when you’re juggling work deadlines, helping with homework, and trying to squeeze in a load of laundry before bedtime?

That’s where these honey garlic chicken bites come in handy. They’re ready in under 30 minutes, use simple pantry ingredients you probably already have, and the sweet and savory flavors are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults alike.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

For this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs both work great, though thighs tend to stay a bit more juicy and flavorful. If you’re using chicken breasts, try not to overcook them since they can dry out faster than thighs. You’ll want to cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches each, so they cook evenly and get nicely coated in that honey garlic sauce. Fresh chicken is always best, but if you’re working with frozen, just make sure it’s completely thawed and patted dry before cutting and cooking.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here are some options if you need them:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great here and stay extra juicy. You can also use chicken breast, but keep a close eye on cooking time since it can dry out faster.
• Honey: If you’re out of honey, try maple syrup or agave nectar. Both will give you that sweet glaze, though the flavor will be slightly different.
• Soy sauce: Tamari works as a gluten-free option, or you can use coconut aminos for a soy-free version. Just note that coconut aminos are a bit sweeter and less salty, so you might want to add a pinch more salt.
• Cider vinegar: Rice vinegar or white wine vinegar make good substitutes. Even regular white vinegar works in a pinch – just use a tiny bit less since it’s stronger.
• Fresh garlic: While fresh garlic really makes this dish shine, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if that’s what you have. Add it with the other seasonings instead of sautéing it.
• Scallions: Chopped chives or even thinly sliced regular onions work as a garnish. This is mainly for topping, so you can skip it if needed.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making honey garlic chicken bites is cooking them over heat that’s too high, which causes the honey in the sauce to burn and turn bitter before the chicken cooks through – medium-high heat works best for getting a nice sear without scorching.

Overcrowding the pan is another common error that leads to steaming instead of browning, so cook the chicken in batches as the recipe suggests and resist the urge to flip the pieces too early.

Adding the garlic too soon or letting it cook too long will make it taste burnt and harsh, so wait until all the chicken is back in the pan and watch it carefully during that 30-second window.

Finally, make sure your chicken pieces are cut into similar sizes so they cook evenly, and use an instant-read thermometer to check that they’ve reached 165°F before serving.

What to Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken Bites?

These sweet and savory chicken bites are perfect over a bed of white or brown rice, which soaks up all that delicious honey garlic sauce. I love pairing them with steamed broccoli or snap peas for a quick weeknight dinner that feels complete. If you want to make it more filling, try serving them alongside fried rice or noodles – lo mein or rice noodles work great. For a lighter option, toss the chicken bites into a salad with mixed greens, shredded carrots, and a sesame dressing.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep your leftover honey garlic chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauce might thicken up a bit as it sits, but that just means more flavor sticking to each bite when you reheat them.

Freeze: These chicken bites freeze really well for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container or bag with all that delicious sauce. I like to portion them out so I can grab just what I need for a quick meal.

Reheat: Warm them up in a skillet over medium heat for the best results, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also use the microwave in 30-second intervals, but the skillet method keeps them from getting rubbery and helps the sauce get all sticky and caramelized again.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1100-1250
• Protein: 90-105 g
• Fat: 28-34 g
• Carbohydrates: 65-80 g

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1.5 lb chicken (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (I use Colavita extra virgin)

For the sauce:

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger

For the garnish:

• scallions (thinly sliced)

Step 1: Prepare Mise en Place and Season the Chicken

• 1.5 lb chicken
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
• scallions

Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels—this helps them brown better.

Season generously with salt and pepper, tossing to coat evenly.

Mince the garlic cloves and grate the fresh ginger, then set aside.

Thinly slice the scallions and set aside for garnish.

I like to prep everything before the skillet heats up so I’m not scrambling once the cooking begins.

Step 2: Build the Honey Garlic Sauce

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar until well combined.

This creates your flavor base and allows the ingredients to meld slightly before hitting the pan.

Set the bowl aside near your cooking station for easy access.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken in Batches

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 lb seasoned chicken from Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Working in two batches to avoid overcrowding, add half the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 4 minutes without stirring—this develops a golden, flavorful crust.

Flip each piece and cook for another 2 minutes, then transfer to a clean plate.

Repeat with the remaining chicken.

I find that not moving the chicken too much in the beginning is key to getting that nice caramelization.

Step 4: Build Flavor with Garlic and Combine Everything

• seared chicken from Step 3
• minced garlic from Step 1
• grated fresh ginger from Step 1

Return all the seared chicken from Step 3 back to the skillet over medium heat.

Immediately add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds to bloom the aromatics and prevent burning.

This brief cooking step releases the garlic and ginger’s essential oils, creating an aromatic base for your sauce.

Step 5: Finish with Sauce and Cook Until Glazed

• sauce mixture from Step 2
• chicken and aromatics from Step 4

Pour the honey garlic sauce mixture from Step 2 over the chicken and stir gently to coat everything evenly.

Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through.

The sauce will reduce slightly and coat the chicken bites with a glossy glaze.

The acidity from the vinegar balances beautifully with the sweetness of the honey, and the soy sauce adds depth.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• cooked chicken from Step 5
• sliced scallions from Step 1

Transfer the honey garlic chicken bites to a serving plate and top with the sliced scallions from Step 1.

Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and the sauce is glossy.

Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Delicious Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Bites recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 3 servings

Calories 1175 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the chicken::

• 1.5 lb chicken (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (I use Colavita extra virgin)

For the sauce::

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg's)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger

For the garnish::

• scallions (thinly sliced)

Instructions

 

• Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels—this helps them brown better. Season generously with salt and pepper, tossing to coat evenly. Mince the garlic cloves and grate the fresh ginger, then set aside. Thinly slice the scallions and set aside for garnish. I like to prep everything before the skillet heats up so I'm not scrambling once the cooking begins.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar until well combined. This creates your flavor base and allows the ingredients to meld slightly before hitting the pan. Set the bowl aside near your cooking station for easy access.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in two batches to avoid overcrowding, add half the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 4 minutes without stirring—this develops a golden, flavorful crust. Flip each piece and cook for another 2 minutes, then transfer to a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken. I find that not moving the chicken too much in the beginning is key to getting that nice caramelization.
• Return all the seared chicken from Step 3 back to the skillet over medium heat. Immediately add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds to bloom the aromatics and prevent burning. This brief cooking step releases the garlic and ginger's essential oils, creating an aromatic base for your sauce.
• Pour the honey garlic sauce mixture from Step 2 over the chicken and stir gently to coat everything evenly. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through. The sauce will reduce slightly and coat the chicken bites with a glossy glaze. The acidity from the vinegar balances beautifully with the sweetness of the honey, and the soy sauce adds depth.
• Transfer the honey garlic chicken bites to a serving plate and top with the sliced scallions from Step 1. Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and the sauce is glossy.