High-Protein Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken Recipe
This High-Protein Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken (Healthy & Easy!) delivers the perfect combination of crispy chicken, sticky-sweet glaze, and high-protein goodness. The air fryer creates beautiful golden bites while the honey garlic sauce adds restaurant-quality flavor. It’s quick, satisfying, and ideal for meal prep or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Crispy Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water slurry for thickening
- ½ tbsp butter
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat every piece evenly.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and toss again until fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2 minutes.
- Place the chicken bites into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, then shake the basket to ensure even browning.
- Continue cooking for another 6–7 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and whisk until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Transfer the crispy chicken into the sauce and toss until fully coated.
- Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for 1–2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnishing with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.