Ginger-Honey Glazed Chicken Bites
Indulge in these flavorful Ginger-Honey Glazed Chicken Bites, where tender pieces of chicken are marinated in a fragrant mixture of honey, vibrant ginger, zesty citrus, and savory soy sauce. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, thanks to the fresh ginger, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. After marinating, the chicken is baked and then glazed with a reduced version of the marinade, making it irresistibly sticky and glazed. Ideal as a starter for a gathering or as a succulent snack, these tender bites can easily be customized for spice enthusiasts by adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce. Serve them hot, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds for an extra crunch!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
honey
2/3 cup (none)
fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (peeled and minced)
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (none)
cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
dark sesame oil
2 teaspoons (none)
orange rind
1 teaspoon (grated)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 1/4 lbs (cut into bite-sized pieces (about 16 thighs))
cooking spray
to coat (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
cornstarch
2 teaspoons (none)
water
2 teaspoons (none)
toasted sesame seeds
2 teaspoons (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine honey, minced fresh ginger, lemon juice, cider vinegar, low sodium soy sauce, dark sesame oil, grated orange rind, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Seal the bag and shake it well to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
2
Add the cut chicken thighs to the bag, seal again, and toss to coat the chicken pieces evenly with the marinade. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight, turning occasionally to ensure even marination.
3
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a broiling pan by coating it with cooking spray.
4
Once marinated, remove the chicken from the bag and reserve the marinade for later use. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared broiling pan.
5
Sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring once during cooking to ensure even baking.
6
While the chicken is baking, strain the reserved marinade through a sieve into a bowl to remove solids, then pour it into a saucepan. Bring the marinade to a boil and let it cook for 3 minutes, skimming off any solids that rise to the surface.
7
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling marinade, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 1 minute.
8
Remove the glaze from heat and transfer it to a large bowl. Once the chicken is done baking, add the chicken to the glaze and toss well to coat all pieces.
9
Preheat your broiler. Spread the glazed chicken on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Broil for about 5 minutes, stirring twice, until the chicken is nicely browned and caramelized.
10
If desired, sprinkle the finished chicken bites with toasted sesame seeds before serving for an appealing presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ginger-Honey Glazed Chicken Bites?
They are tender pieces of chicken marinated in a mixture of honey, ginger, citrus, and soy sauce, then baked and broiled with a thickened glaze.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
The chicken should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1 1/4 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces.
What is the baking temperature for the chicken?
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) for the initial baking phase.
How can I make these chicken bites spicy?
You can easily customize the heat level by adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the marinade.
What are the key ingredients in the marinade?
The marinade consists of honey, fresh ginger, lemon juice, cider vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, orange rind, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
Do I throw away the marinade after soaking the chicken?
No, reserve the marinade to boil and thicken into a glaze for the final coating.
How do I thicken the glaze?
Whisk together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 2 teaspoons of water, then add this mixture to the boiling marinade.
What is the purpose of broiling the chicken at the end?
Broiling for about 5 minutes helps brown and caramelize the honey glaze onto the chicken.
Should I strain the marinade before cooking it?
Yes, strain the reserved marinade through a sieve into a bowl to remove solids before boiling it.
How long does the initial baking take?
The chicken should bake for 20 minutes, stirring once to ensure even cooking.
What kind of soy sauce is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce.
How much fresh ginger do I need?
You will need 2 tablespoons of peeled and minced fresh ginger.
Is there a recommended garnish for the chicken bites?
Sprinkling toasted sesame seeds over the finished bites is recommended for extra crunch and presentation.
What type of vinegar should I use?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar.
How many garlic cloves are required?
Use 4 minced garlic cloves for this recipe.
What kind of oil provides the fragrant aroma?
Dark sesame oil is used to provide a rich, savory aroma.
Is the orange rind necessary?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of grated orange rind adds a zesty citrus note to the glaze.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
While thighs are specified for tenderness, you can use breasts, though they may cook faster and be less succulent.
How long do I boil the glaze before adding cornstarch?
Bring the marinade to a boil and let it cook for 3 minutes while skimming off any solids.
Should the chicken be seasoned before baking?
Yes, sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper after placing it on the broiling pan.
What equipment is needed for the broiling step?
A jelly-roll pan or broiling pan coated with cooking spray is recommended.
Is this dish suitable for a party?
Yes, these chicken bites are ideal as a starter or snack for gatherings.
How much honey is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 2/3 cup of honey.
Do I need to stir the chicken while it's under the broiler?
Yes, stir the chicken twice during the 5-minute broiling time to ensure even caramelization.
Can the marinade be mixed in a bag?
Yes, using a large zip-top plastic bag is recommended for easy mixing and marinating.
What is the total amount of Worcestershire sauce used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
Are the sesame seeds mandatory?
No, the toasted sesame seeds are optional and used mainly for presentation and texture.
What is the texture of the finished chicken?
The chicken bites are tender on the inside and irresistibly sticky and glazed on the outside.