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Sticky Honey-Ginger Chicken with Soy Glaze

Stovetop Sticky Honey Ginger Chicken is a savory, lightly sweet chicken dish with a honey-ginger glaze that clings to each piece for a craveworthy sticky finish and a bright ginger kick. Ready in about 20 minutes and cooked in a single skillet, this recipe is great for busy weeknights. Use boneless chicken thighs for juicier results or chicken breasts if you prefer.

A bowl of white rice topped with glazed chicken, broccoli florets, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and a lime wedge, with chopsticks resting on the side.

Easy Sticky Honey Ginger Chicken Recipe

  • Why I love it: A glossy, sticky sauce made from soy sauce, honey, fresh ginger, and garlic perfectly coats the tender chicken for big flavor in every bite.
  • Best cut: Boneless chicken thighs are ideal because they cook quickly and remain juicy; chicken breasts work too if pounded to even thickness.
  • One skillet, 20 minutes: This simple, high-protein recipe uses common pantry staples, making it ideal for busy nights or meal prep. Substitute tamari for soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.
A skillet filled with glazed chicken thighs topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, garnished with lime wedges.
Grilled glazed chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onions, served on white rice with broccoli in the background.

Ingredients for the Honey Ginger Glaze Chicken

  • Cornstarch: Lightly coats the chicken for a subtle crust and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, pounded even). For a vegetarian option, use extra-firm tofu; for added vegetables, briefly sauté bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas after removing the chicken.
  • Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  • Oil: Neutral oil for pan-frying, such as vegetable, canola, or olive oil.
  • Glaze: Low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, freshly grated ginger (or ground ginger), and minced garlic. A small amount of toasted sesame oil adds depth if you like.
  • Garnishes: Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, optional red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs for brightness.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and full directions.

A bowl of white rice topped with glazed chicken, sesame seeds, chopped green onions, steamed broccoli, and a wedge of lime.
Raw chicken thighs on a plate surrounded by green onions, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, lime, oil, flour, sesame seeds, and seasoning on a light countertop.

How to Make Honey Ginger Chicken

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season evenly with salt and pepper. Drying the chicken first helps the cornstarch adhere and yields a better crust.
  2. Coat with cornstarch: Lightly dust each piece of seasoned chicken with cornstarch and shake off any excess. Too much cornstarch can make the sauce gummy, so be thorough when shaking off the coating.
  3. Sear the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove the cooked chicken and set aside.
  4. Make the glaze: Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and minced garlic in a bowl. Reduce the skillet heat to medium or medium-low and add the glaze. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, whisking, until the sauce thickens slightly. The cornstarch left in the pan helps it thicken.
  5. Toss and finish: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the glaze. Cook another 1–2 minutes so the sauce clings to the chicken and the flavors meld.
  6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, and add optional red pepper flakes or fresh herbs. Serve with lime wedges, steamed broccoli, rice, or your preferred sides.

Recipe Card — Sticky Honey Ginger Chicken

Servings: 4   |   Prep time: 10 minutes   |   Cook time: 15 minutes

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Instant-read thermometer (recommended)

Ingredients

For the chicken
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, pounded even)
  • 1–2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
Sticky honey ginger glaze
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely grated (or 2–3 teaspoons ground ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced
Garnishes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley)
  • Red pepper flakes, for heat
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Coat the chicken lightly in cornstarch and shake off the excess.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Work in batches if necessary.
  4. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and keep the pan as is.
  5. Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a bowl. Reduce the heat to medium and add the glaze to the skillet. Simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet, toss to coat evenly, and cook 1–2 minutes more to allow the glaze to absorb.
  7. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, herbs, or red pepper flakes as desired. Serve immediately with rice, steamed vegetables, and lime wedges.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

Nutrition (approximate per serving)

Calories: 420; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Protein: 36 g; Fat: 14 g; Sodium: varies depending on soy sauce. Nutrition values are estimates and should be used as a guideline only.

Close-up of sticky honey ginger chicken garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served over white rice with broccoli, shown from two angles with chopsticks and a lime wedge.
A skillet with sticky honey ginger chicken garnished with green onions and a lime wedge, and a close-up of a piece held with chopsticks.
A bowl of rice topped with sticky honey ginger chicken, broccoli, green onions, sesame seeds, a lime wedge, and chopsticks; close-up of glazed chicken below.

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Chicken with sticky honey ginger glaze served on white rice with broccoli, garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, and a lime wedge.
Sliced honey ginger chicken garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served on white rice with broccoli and a lime wedge.
Sticky honey ginger chicken served over white rice with broccoli, lime wedges, and sprinkled with sesame seeds and green onions; close-up and overhead views.

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