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Okay, so let me be honest with you… fried chicken is one of those things that always intimidated me when I was younger. My mom made it look so easy — she’d be standing over the stove, chatting away on the phone, flipping chicken like it was no big deal. Meanwhile, I was the one burning grilled cheese on a regular basis.
But here’s the thing — once I finally tried making it myself, I realized it’s not scary at all. Messy? Sure. But scary? Nope. And when you toss that crispy chicken in a sticky honey garlic glaze? Oh my word. It’s the kind of dish that makes your whole house smell like comfort. My husband swears he can smell the garlic from the driveway.
This is the chicken that gets people excited about dinner. The chicken that makes you want to eat with your fingers and forget the fancy table manners. It’s sweet, savory, garlicky, crispy, sticky… all of it.
Why You’ll Like It
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Crispy chicken that stays juicy inside.
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A sauce so good you’ll be tempted to lick the spoon (I’ve done it, no shame).
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Kids love it, grown-ups love it, even picky eaters give in.
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You can pair it with just about anything — rice, mashed potatoes, or just a piece of bread to swipe up the sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Chicken – I like thighs or drumsticks. They don’t dry out.
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Flour + seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika. Simple stuff.
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Eggs + milk – This makes the coating stick.
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Oil – Something neutral for frying, like vegetable oil.
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Honey + soy sauce + garlic – The trio that makes the magic.
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Cornstarch + water – Thickens the glaze so it hugs the chicken.
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Green onions or chives – For sprinkling on top. Totally optional but pretty.
How to Make It (my not-so-fancy way)
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Mix the flour coating
In a shallow dish, stir together flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This is what gives your chicken that crunchy crust. -
Egg dip
Whisk eggs and milk in another bowl. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just frothy. -
Coat the chicken
Dip each piece of chicken in the egg, then roll it in the flour mix. Press it in a little so it really sticks. Lay them aside — they’ll look a little messy, but that’s good. -
Fry time
Heat some oil in a big skillet. When it’s hot (a pinch of flour should sizzle right away), add the chicken in batches. Don’t crowd the pan or they’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook about 6–8 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain. -
Make the sauce
In a saucepan, stir together honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Let it bubble gently for a minute or two. Mix cornstarch with water and pour that in. Stir until the sauce thickens and gets shiny. -
Coat the chicken
Toss the fried chicken in the sauce until every piece is sticky and glossy. Don’t hold back. -
Serve
Pile it onto a plate, sprinkle with green onions if you want, and grab some napkins.
Little Twists You Can Try
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Want heat? Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
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Gluten-free? Use GF flour.
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Don’t want to fry? Bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes instead. Not as crispy, but still tasty.
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Feeding picky kids? Serve the sauce on the side so they can dip instead of coat.
Storing Leftovers (if there are any)
I’ll be honest — leftovers don’t happen often. But if you do end up with a few pieces, stick them in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes so they crisp back up. The microwave works if you’re desperate, but the crust gets soft.
Final Thought from My Kitchen
This recipe isn’t fancy. It’s not restaurant-perfect. But it’s one of those meals that makes your house feel like home. The garlic, the honey, that messy sticky glaze… it’s comfort food at its best.
If you make it, let me know how it goes. Did your kids love it? Did you sneak a piece before dinner (because I always do)? Leave a comment or send me a picture — I love seeing other families enjoying the same food that keeps mine gathered around the table.
Savory Honey Garlic Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks work well)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- chopped green onions or chives for garnish
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat with the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir into the honey garlic sauce and cook until thickened.
- Toss the fried chicken in the honey garlic sauce until well coated.
- Serve the chicken on a platter and garnish with chopped green onions or chives.
Notes
Nutrition