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Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Succulent chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce, baked to perfection for a delightful blend of flavors that’s easy to prepare and sure to please.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs (skinless and boneless)
• 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 110 g (1/3 cup) honey
• 80 ml (1/3 cup) chicken stock
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• boiled rice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Coat the Chicken with Flavor
   In a large mixing bowl, gently toss your chicken thighs with cornflour, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece gets a nice, even coating. This not only seasons the chicken but also helps it develop a delightful, crispy texture once it hits the pan.

2. Step 2: Sizzle to Golden Perfection
   Get your frying pan nice and hot over high heat before pouring in the vegetable oil. Once the oil shimmers, place the chicken thighs in the pan, cooking them undisturbed for about 4 to 5 minutes. This ensures a lovely golden-brown crust develops. Flip them over to cook for another 2 minutes, locking in those juices.

3. Step 3: Infuse with Garlic and Butter
   Now, slide in some unsalted butter and allow it to melt into a rich, aromatic puddle. Toss in the minced garlic, stirring gently. Lower the heat to medium to prevent the garlic from burning while it infuses its wonderful aroma throughout the pan.

4. Step 4: Whip Up the Honey Garlic Sauce
   In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, chicken stock, rice vinegar, and light soy sauce. The blend of sweet and savory here is the hero of the dish. Pour this mixture over the sizzling chicken in the pan. Crank up the heat to bring it to a bubbly boil, then reduce to a simmer, letting it thicken to a glaze over the next 4 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye out for that irresistible, sticky coating.

5. Step 5: Finish with a Fresh Twist
   Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced perfectly, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley and a pinch of chili flakes over the top for a pop of color and a hint of heat. Plate it up over a bed of steaming boiled rice, and let the feast begin!

Notes

Whipping up honey garlic chicken can be a breeze, but a few missteps are quite common.

A classic error is overcrowding the pan, which leads to steaming rather than browning the chicken. Combat this by using a roomy pan, giving each piece its golden moment.

People sometimes forget to adjust heat levels. Garlic burns easily, so remember to turn down the heat to prevent a bitter taste.

Lastly, patience is key with the sauce. Rushing the reduction can leave it runny. Let it simmer until it clings to the chicken like a warm hug!