Sweet & Savory Chinese Style Chicken – Our Favorite Takeout Fakeout Made at Home!

If you’ve ever wanted to recreate your favorite Chinese takeout dish at home, this is the recipe. I make this all the time for my husband and friends, and they’re obsessed. The chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and tossed in a sticky, sweet, garlicky sauce that’s seriously addictive. Every time I serve it, I get asked for the recipe—so I knew it was time to share it here.

You don’t need any fancy ingredients—just a few pantry staples and about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner night in, especially when you’re craving something better than takeout!

Chicken Marinade Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast or thigh fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2/3 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
2. Make the batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, water, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, flour, and baking powder until smooth. Add the chicken pieces and let them soak in the batter for 10 minutes.
3. Fry the chicken: Heat a thin layer of sunflower oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the battered chicken pieces in batches until they’re golden and crispy on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
4. Make the sauce: In a clean pan, heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil. Add the grated garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the honey, ketchup, and soy sauce. Let it simmer for 2 more minutes until it thickens slightly.
5. Combine: Toss the fried chicken into the sauce and stir until fully coated. Let it cook on low heat for a couple more minutes so the sauce clings to the chicken.
6. Serve hot over steamed rice or with stir-fried veggies. And trust me—leftovers (if you have any) are even better the next day!