🍗 Crispy Glazed Chicken Bites (Sticky & Crunchy)

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken:

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
2 eggs
1 cup cornstarch (for ultra crisp texture)
Oil for frying (avocado, canola, or vegetable)

For the Sticky Glaze:

½ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated ginger (optional)
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

Optional:

Red pepper flakes
Sesame seeds
Chopped green onions

🔥 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep & Coat

Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Beat eggs in a bowl.
Toss chicken in cornstarch.
Dip into egg, then back into cornstarch for extra crunch.

2️⃣ Fry Until Crispy

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
Fry in batches 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
Remove to wire rack (not paper towel — keeps it crisp).

3️⃣ Make the Sticky Glaze

In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
Simmer 3–4 minutes.
Add cornstarch slurry.
Stir until thick and glossy.

4️⃣ Toss & Serve

Add crispy chicken to a large bowl.
Pour warm glaze over and toss quickly to coat.

Top with sesame seeds and green onions.

Serve immediately for best crunch.

🍽 Serving Ideas

Over jasmine rice
With steamed broccoli
In lettuce wraps
As party appetizers

❓ Q & A

Q: How do I keep it crispy after adding sauce?

Let glaze cool slightly before tossing
Toss quickly, don’t soak
Serve immediately
For extra crisp: double fry the chicken (fry once, rest 5 minutes, fry again 1–2 minutes).

Q: Can I air fry instead?

Yes.

Spray coated chicken with oil.
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Texture will be slightly less crunchy than deep-fried.

Q: Can I bake it?

Yes.
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes on a rack.

Q: Can I make it healthier?

Use chicken thighs for juiciness.
Air fry instead of deep fry.
Replace sugar with honey only.
Reduce glaze by 25% to cut sweetness.

Q: Can I make it spicy?

Add:

1–2 tbsp sriracha
Extra red pepper flakes
Or a spoon of chili paste

Q: How do I store leftovers?

Fridge: 3–4 days
Reheat in air fryer 3–5 minutes to re-crisp.