Honey Ginger Chicken is crispy, juicy, and coated in a sweet honey ginger sauce. This one-skillet dinner comes together in about 20 minutes. Serve with steamed broccoli and rice for an easy, flavorful meal that’s better than takeout.
This Honey Ginger Chicken is saucy, tangy, and full of umami. It’s a quick, satisfying weeknight staple that uses simple pantry ingredients. The sauce is intentionally generous—save extra to drizzle over rice or vegetables.
Recipe Highlights
- Quick and easy—ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Generous, sticky sauce that pairs perfectly with steamed rice or broccoli.
- Simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Oil – Vegetable or canola oil works well for frying. If you want a nuttier flavor, use sesame oil (use sparingly for high heat).
Cornstarch – Gives the chicken a crisp coating and keeps it gluten-free. All-purpose flour can be used instead if you prefer.
Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and lean. Boneless skinless thighs are a juicier alternative.
Soy sauce – Low-sodium soy sauce helps control salt, but regular soy sauce is fine. For gluten-free, choose tamari or coconut aminos.
Honey – Agave or brown sugar can substitute in a pinch.
Ginger – Fresh grated ginger gives the best flavor. Ginger paste or a ginger-garlic paste can be used if needed.
Lime – Fresh lime juice brightens the sauce; lemon juice can be used instead.
See the recipe card below for exact measurements and full ingredient details.
How to Make Honey Ginger Chicken Step-by-Step
Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and lime juice until smooth and combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the coated chicken and cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Wipe the skillet clean, then pour in the soy-honey-ginger mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium-high and cook 5–7 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the glaze. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over warm rice and steamed vegetables.
How to Make Honey Ginger Chicken in the Air Fryer
Step 1. Toss chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until fully coated.
Step 2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until cooked through.
Step 3. While the chicken cooks, simmer the sauce (soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, lime) in a small saucepan for 5–7 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened. Stir often to prevent scorching.
Step 4. Toss the cooked chicken in the sauce, then top with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve extra sauce on the side for rice and vegetables.
Oven Method
Step 1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
Step 2. Coat the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
Step 3. Arrange the chicken on a parchment-lined sheet pan, spray with oil, and bake 10 minutes. Flip and bake another 8–10 minutes until cooked through (time varies with piece size).
Step 4. Simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 5–7 minutes until thickened, stirring frequently.
Step 5. Toss the baked chicken in the glaze, garnish with sesame seeds and green onion, and serve with rice and veggies.
Recipe Tips
Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water) added while simmering. If you prefer less sauce, halve the soy sauce and honey. For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in half the sauce for 15–30 minutes before cooking; reserve the other half to simmer into a glaze. When frying, place cooked pieces on a wire rack so they stay crisp instead of sitting in oil.
Ways to Serve Honey Garlic Ginger Chicken
- Serve over jasmine rice or your favorite grain.
- Pair with steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, or mixed stir-fry veggies.
- Toss over a bed of greens for a warm salad.
- Use as a topping for noodles or udon for a heartier meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating. Reheat gently in the microwave in 30-second intervals or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Common Questions
Is the Ginger Chicken Sauce gluten-free?
Can I use chicken thighs to make Honey Ginger Chicken?
How do I make the ginger chicken sauce less runny?
More One Skillet Chicken Recipes
- One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
- BEST EVER Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast
- The Ultimate Turmeric Black Pepper Chicken
- Easy Pesto Bruschetta Chicken
If you tried this Honey Ginger Chicken or another recipe, please leave a star rating and share how it turned out in the comments. Thanks for visiting!
20 Minute Honey Ginger Chicken
Kate
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Ginger Chicken Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ tablespoon minced or grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 lime squeezed
- sesame seeds and green onion optional garnish
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the chicken, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Stir until the chicken is coated.
- In a separate bowl combine soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and lime juice. Stir until combined and the honey is incorporated. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Wipe the skillet clean. Pour in the sauce and simmer over medium-high, stirring frequently, for 5–7 minutes until reduced and thickened.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with rice.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Coat the chicken in cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and cook chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, simmer the sauce in a small saucepan for 5–7 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Toss cooked chicken in the sauce, then top with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve extra sauce over rice.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Coat the chicken in cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken on a parchment-lined sheet pan, spray with oil, and bake 10 minutes. Flip and bake another 8–10 minutes until cooked through.
- Simmer the sauce for 5–7 minutes until reduced. Toss the baked chicken in the glaze and serve with rice and vegetables.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 43 g
Protein: 27 g
Fat: 10 g