If you’re searching for a quick and delicious dinner that requires minimal ingredients and packs HUGE flavor, look no further than Honey Garlic Chicken Bites. These tender, juicy chicken pieces are pan-seared until golden, then coated in a mouthwatering honey garlic sauce that’s sticky, sweet, savory, and a little buttery. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like takeout — but better, faster, and made entirely at home.

What makes this recipe special is how simple it is. With just a handful of pantry ingredients — honey, garlic, soy sauce, butter — you can create a sauce that beautifully caramelizes onto the chicken and forms a glossy, addictive glaze. Serve it with rice, noodles, veggies, or even on its own, and you have a dish that tastes like pure comfort.

This skillet meal takes under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or anytime you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

Let’s get into why this recipe works so well — and how to cook Honey Garlic Chicken Bites perfectly every time.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast — ready in 20 minutes
• Uses simple ingredients you already have
• Perfectly sweet, savory, garlicky flavor
• Kid-friendly and adult-approved
• Pairs with anything: rice, noodles, veggies, potatoes
• Great meal prep option

This is the dinner you pull out when you need something fast and flavorful.

⭐ Ingredients You Need

Chicken Breast or Thighs

Boneless chicken pieces cut into bite-sized cubes. Thighs stay more tender, but breasts work perfectly too.

Honey

Provides sweetness and caramelization.

Garlic

Fresh minced garlic gives the deepest flavor.

Soy Sauce

Adds salty, savory balance.

Butter

Makes the sauce silky and helps glaze the chicken.

Cornstarch

Coats the chicken lightly, helping it crisp and thicken the sauce.

Seasonings

Salt, pepper, optional chili flakes, and green onions for topping.

⭐ How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

1. Prep the Chicken

Cut into small, even cubes. Toss with salt, pepper, and a little cornstarch.

2. Sear Until Golden

Heat oil in a skillet and cook chicken until browned on all sides. Browning = flavor.

3. Build the Sauce

Add butter, garlic, soy sauce, honey, and chili flakes. Stir to coat everything.

4. Simmer and Thicken

The sauce bubbles and thickens, coating every piece beautifully.

5. Garnish and Serve

Add green onions and sesame seeds if you like.

This simple method guarantees juicy chicken with an insanely delicious sticky honey garlic glaze.

Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Juicy chicken bites coated in a sticky, sweet, and garlicky honey sauce. A fast and flavorful skillet dinner ready in just 20 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired

Calories: 345

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs cut into bites
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 0.33 cup honey
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 0.25 tsp chili flakes optional
• 2 tbsp green onions chopped

Equipment

• Skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons

Method

 

1. Toss chicken bites with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
4. Add butter and garlic; cook until fragrant.
5. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes.
6. Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
7. Garnish with green onions and serve warm.

Notes

For crispier chicken, cook in two batches to avoid overcrowding.

⭐ Tips for the BEST Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

• Don’t overcrowd the pan or the chicken won’t brown.
• Cut chicken evenly so it cooks at the same rate.
• Use fresh garlic — it’s the backbone of the dish.
• Simmer the sauce gently so it thickens without burning.
• Add chili flakes for a spicy-sweet version.

⭐ Variations

• Spicy honey garlic: Add sriracha or chili paste.
• Ginger honey garlic: Add grated ginger to the sauce.
• Crispy version: Double coat chicken in cornstarch before frying.
• Veggie boost: Add broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas.
• Air fryer option: Air fry chicken bites, then toss in sauce.

⭐ What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

This dish is incredibly flexible. Try serving it with:

• White or jasmine rice
• Fried rice
• Butter noodles
• Mashed potatoes
• Stir-fried veggies
• Roasted broccoli
• Rice noodles or lo mein

It’s also amazing as an appetizer toothpick-style.

⭐ How to Store & Reheat

• Fridge: Keeps 3–4 days
• Reheat: Microwave or skillet
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken without sauce (sauce may separate)

Ingredients (List Format)

• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast or thighs, cut into bites
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Instructions (Numbered)

1. Toss chicken bites with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
4. Add butter and garlic; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes.
6. Let sauce bubble and thicken for 2–3 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and garnish with green onions.
8. Serve warm with rice, noodles, or veggies.