With a sticky honey-soy sauce glaze, these sweet and savory chicken bites are so good, you'll want to eat them straight from the pan.
Ingredients
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch, divided
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced peeled ginger (from a 1-inch piece)
1 medium scallion, thinly sliced (optional)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
Whisk 1/4 cup honey, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon of the cornstarch, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using together in a small bowl.
Pat 1 1/2 to 2 pounds chopped boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place in a medium bowl and season all over with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch over the chicken and toss with your hands until evenly coated, separating any pieces that are stuck together.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the neutral oil in a wok or 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of the chicken and spread into an even layer. Cook undisturbed until golden-brown on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook undisturbed until the chicken is browned on the second side and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and repeat cooking the remaining chicken; keep this chicken in the pan. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons minced peeled ginger. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden-brown, about 30 seconds.
Return the reserved chicken and any accumulated juices on the plate to the pan. Re-whisk the sauce and then pour into the pan. Gently toss until the sauce thickens, is glossy, and coats the chicken, about 2 minutes. Garnish with 1 thinly sliced medium scallion and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds if using.
