Craving that sweet and savory honey chicken from P.F. Chang's but don't want to leave the house? You're in luck! This recipe recreates the magic of their famous dish, making it a simple and delicious addition to your homemade cooking repertoire. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal—and surprisingly easy to make! This recipe is a fantastic example of easy recipes and healthy meals that don’t compromise on flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
Preparing the Chicken:
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
- In a separate shallow dish, beat the eggs.
- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. This double-dipping method helps create a wonderfully crispy crust.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot (a drop of flour should sizzle immediately), carefully add the chicken pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
Cooking the Chicken:
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to cook in batches to ensure even browning. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
Making the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- In the same skillet, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly until it thickens and becomes glossy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Combining and Serving:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss gently to coat it evenly with the honey garlic sauce.
- Serve immediately over rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal. Garnish with sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra crispy chicken, you can double-fry it. After the initial frying, let the chicken rest, then fry it again for a minute or two until extra crispy.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness level.
- Substitute chicken thighs for breasts for a richer, juicier result.
- Add some chopped scallions or green onions for a fresh, vibrant garnish.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken with firm tofu, following the same breading and cooking process.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 400-450
- Protein: 30-35g
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
This delicious P.F. Chang's copycat honey chicken recipe is a testament to how simple and quick dinner ideas can be both healthy and incredibly flavorful. Enjoy this easy recipe, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds!