Honey Ginger Chicken is the perfect go-to dish for a quick, flavorful meal. It’s an easy weeknight dinner made with seven ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes!
This has to be one of my favorite weeknight meals, especially those busy ones where I’d much rather order delivery than whip up a meal. What I love about this Honey Ginger Chicken recipe is that it does not require a lot of ingredients or a lot of time, and tastes way better than takeout.
You’ll love this recipe!
- It’s super affordable– most of the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
- Allergy-friendly– this recipe is gluten-free and soy-free
- Effortless to make– the sauce takes only minutes to whisk together and the chicken is cooked quickly on the stovetop. It is a simple recipe, perfect for newbies in the kitchen or seasoned chefs 🙂
- Great meal prep option– the chicken lasts in the fridge for up to 3 days and the leftovers taste even better the next day!
WATCH HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE!
Honey Ginger Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs work best for this recipe. Chicken thighs tend to be juicer than chicken breast and require less prep and cooking time than other cuts of chicken. (I’ve also made this recipe with cod fillets and it turned out great!)
- Spices: The chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika. You do not need a ton of spices because the sauce is what elevates the dish and gives the chicken such incredible flavor.
- Cornstarch: The seasoned chicken is coated with cornstarch on both sides before pan-frying. The cornstarch helps to give the chicken a delicious crispy crust and helps to absorb the honey ginger sauce. You only need a thin layer of cornstarch so be sure to shake off any excess.
FOR THE HONEY GINGER SAUCE
- Fresh Ginger: It may be tempting to use ginger powder for this recipe, but don’t. Fresh ginger is key here to get the best flavor. You will need about a 2-inch knob of ginger. You can always add more if you like. I personally love a super strong ginger flavor.
- Fresh Garlic: Use a microplane grater or a garlic press to prepare the garlic for the sauce.
- Coconut Aminos or Soy Sauce: Coconut amino is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative and my personal favorite — it’s soy, wheat, gluten-free, and has antioxidant properties! If you are not sensitive to gluten, feel free to use soy sauce.
- Honey: Essential to make the sweet and savory ginger sauce. I add equal parts honey to coconut aminos. Add more or less depending on your taste.
How To Make Honey Ginger Chicken
PREPARE THE HONEY GINGER SAUCE. Grate the ginger and the garlic. Then, add the honey, coconut aminos, grated ginger, and garlic to a small bowl or measuring cup.
PREPARE THE CHICKEN. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika. Then lightly coat both sides with cornstarch.
COOK THE CHICKEN. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add cooking oil. Then, pan-fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden brown. Remove and set them aside on a plate.
WARM THE SAUCE AND ADD CHICKEN. Carefully wipe the pan with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any burnt pieces. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then pour the sauce into the skillet and simmer for about 1 minute. Then add the chicken thighs and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use a spoon to baste the chicken with the honey ginger sauce, making sure all parts are coated.
PLATE AND ENJOY! Once your ginger chicken has turned a beautiful golden brown hue and the sauce has thickened slightly, it’s time to plate up! Serve it alongside your favorite rice and feel free to add some extra flair with toppings like sliced scallions or edamame beans. happy eating!
Tips
- AVOID OVERCOOKING THE CHICKEN. Pan-frying boneless chicken thighs takes about 5 minutes per side depending on the thickness. Use a temperature thermometer to determine doneness
- ADJUST THE SAUCE AS DESIRED. If you like your dish saucy, double the sauce ingredients. I like my chicken extra saucy so I often stir in more coconut aminos and honey to the pan immediately before serving the dish. This gives me even more sauce that I can use to cover my rice or vegetables. You can also add a few tablespoons of chicken broth to make more sauce.
What To Serve With Your Honey Ginger Chicken
I love serving my chicken with green beans that are tossed in the leftover honey ginger sauce! It is SO GOOD and an easy side dish to make.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, I remove it from the pan, set it aside, and toss steamed green beans into the pan. Saute on medium-low heat, adding a bit more coconut aminos and red pepper flakes. After a few minutes you have the perfect glazed green beans to serve with your chicken!
Here are a few more options
- Rice. Steamed rice, turmeric rice, coconut rice, or cauliflower rice
- Veggies: Asparagus, green beans, bok choy, broccoli
- Green Onion, sliced cucumber, pickled veggies, edamame, a simple salad.
Honey Ginger Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 Boneless Chicken Thighs
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Cooking Oil
Honey Ginger Sauce
- 2" Fresh Ginger (about 2 tbsp ginger grated)
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced about 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup Honey plus more as desired
- 1/4 cup Coconut Amino plus more as desired
Instructions
- Grate the ginger and garlic. Then, add the honey, coconut aminos, grated ginger, and garlic to a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika. Then lightly coat both sides with cornstarch.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, add cooking oil. Then, pan-fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden brown. Remove and set them aside on a plate.
- Carefully wipe the pan with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any burnt pieces. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then pour the sauce into the skillet and simmer for about 1 minute. Then add the chicken thighs and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use a spoon to baste the chicken with the honey ginger sauce, making sure all parts are coated.
- Serve in a bowl over rice with sides of your choice (broccoli or green beans are great!). Top with chopped scallions, edamame, red crushed peppers. Enjoy!
