Love PF Chang’s Honey Chicken recipe? You can make it at home! With our copycat recipe, you’ll enjoy this popular dish anytime. This version has a golden sauce with a sweet honey kick. It’s an absolute must-try.
Key Takeaways
- This copycat recipe closely replicates the popular PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken dish.
- The key to achieving the perfect crispiness is in the frying technique and batter ingredients.
- The sauce features a delicious balance of sweet honey and savory flavors.
- The recipe can be customized with variations, such as using chicken thighs or adding extra vegetables.
- Proper storage and reheating techniques help maintain the crispiness of the fried chicken.
About PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken
PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken is a favorite for many. It’s known for the crispy outside and sweet honey taste. This dish is beloved at PF Chang’s for mixing flavors perfectly.
Crispy Texture and Honey Sweetness
What makes PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken so special is how it’s made. The outside is crispy and inside it’s sweet and sticky from the honey glaze. Each bite gives you a satisfying crunch from the golden-brown chicken. The sweet honey sauce balances the flavors well.
Balance of Tang and Honey Flavor
PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken has the right mix of sweet and tangy. Honey sweetness meets tang from vinegar and soy sauce. This combo brings a balanced and exciting taste. It’s a top pick at PF Chang’s for those who love Asian flavors.
Keeping the Chicken Crispy
To get your homemade PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken just right, keeping it crisp is key. We’ll share tips to make sure your dish keeps that addictive crunch. This let you enjoy the dish just like at the restaurant, right at your own table.
Pro Tips For The Perfect PF Changs Crispy Honey Chicken Copycat Recipe
Restaurant Hack: Ask for Sauce on the Side
When getting your PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken, a simple ask is smart – get the sauce on the side. This keeps the chicken nice and crunchy. The sauce won’t make the breading soggy. You’ll love the extra crisp every bite has.
Home Cooking Tip: Fry in Batches
At home, remember not to pack the pan too tight. Frying in small batches keeps the oil hot enough. If the pan’s crowded, the oil cools down and you’ll end up with a less crispy result. So, give your chicken space to turn that perfect golden-brown.
Reheat Chicken Before Saucing
To get the crispiest chicken, warm it up before adding sauce. Put your cooked chicken in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes. This step refreshes the breading, so it keeps that wonderful crunch even with sauce.
Serving Suggestions
After mastering Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken, think about how to serve it. Pair it with fluffy jasmine rice to enjoy the mix of sweet and savory. This combo creates a truly satisfying meal.
Jasmine Rice Pairing
Jasmine rice is perfect with dishes like Crispy Honey Chicken. Its light, fluffy taste goes well with the bold flavors of the chicken and honey sauce. Together, they make a meal that looks and tastes like it’s from a top restaurant.
Garnish with Green Onions
To make your Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken fresher, add sliced green onions. The green onions bring a bright color and a little bite to balance the rich flavor. This touch makes the dish delicious and visually appealing.
Tips for Crispy Fried Chicken
We’ve learned some key tips to make crispy chicken like PF Chang’s at home. Making sure the chicken stays crispy is the main goal.
Monitor Oil Temperature
It’s critical to keep the oil at the right temperature. A frying thermometer will help you check it. The oil needs to be between 350°F to 375°F. This helps the chicken get crispy on the outside but cook perfectly inside.
Use a Cooling Rack
Let the extra oil drip off the fried chicken. Put them on a rack over a sheet pan. This method keeps the chicken crispy, not soggy.
Avoid Overcrowding Pan
Don’t fry too many chicken pieces together. This can cool the oil too much and mess up your chicken. Fry in small groups for 4-5 minutes each. This way, your chicken will be perfectly crispy.
Variations and Substitutions
The Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken recipe is yummy. But, you might want to adjust it to your taste or needs. Here are some ideas for changes and swaps.
Use Chicken Thighs for More Moisture
Chicken thighs can make your dish juicier and tastier. They stay moist better, helping you get that PF Chang’s feel. This is great if you love moist chicken dishes.
Adjust Sweetness with Honey Amount
Getting the sweet and salty part right is key. But, you can adjust the honey to match your taste. Add more or less honey in the sauce until it’s just the sweetness you want.
Add Vegetables for Extra Nutrition
Make your meal healthier by adding vegetables. Steamed or sautéed broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas work well. They add nutrition and color to your dish.
Meal Pairing Ideas
To turn your dinner into a full experience, pair Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken with special dishes. This suggests ways to make your at-home dining feel like eating out.
Serve with Fried Rice
The combination of crispy chicken with honey glaze and fried rice is a hit. The rice, with its tasty flavors, is ideal for soaking up the chicken’s sauce. The mix of textures makes each bite exciting.
Pair with Egg Rolls or Wontons
Adding fried egg rolls or wontons gives your meal a real Asian feel. These appetizers complement the main dish’s flavors, rounding out your dinner.
Offer Steamed Broccoli or Sautéed Vegetables
Liven up the meal by adding steamed broccoli or sautéed veggies. They bring a fresh, healthy element and balance the fried chicken’s richness. This turns your dinner into something special.
| Dish | Recommended Pairing |
|---|---|
| Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken | Fried rice, Egg rolls or wontons, Steamed broccoli or sautéed vegetables |
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
For the best results, keep the crispy chicken apart from the honey sauce. Store the chicken without sauce in a sealed container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 5 days. Before serving, heat the chicken and then top it with the sauce.
Refrigerate Unsauced Chicken Separately
Separate storage stops the chicken’s crispiness from fading. You can keep the cooked chicken in the fridge for days this way. It makes fixing a PF Chang’s-like meal quick and easy when the craving hits.
Reheat Chicken Before Adding Sauce
To make the chicken crispy again, use a skillet or oven. Cook it at 350°F until it’s hot and crispy. Make sure it reaches 165°F inside for safety. Add the sauce after it’s heated well.
P.f. Chang’s Honey Chicken Copycat FAQs
What is the copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken recipe?
It’s a homemade take on the crispy honey chicken from PF Chang’s. This dish has fried chicken in a sweet, savory honey sauce.
What are the key features of the PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken dish?
This dish stands out for its crunch and mix of sweet and tangy tastes. It’s very popular from the PF Chang’s menu.
How can we maintain the crispy texture of the fried chicken at home?
Keep the sauce separate, fry the chicken in small batches, and warm it up again before you sauce it. This keeps it from getting soggy.
What are the main ingredients for the PF Chang’s Honey Chicken recipe?
The chicken batter uses flour, cornstarch, egg, and water. For the sauce, you need rice wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
How should the Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken be served?
Serve it with jasmine rice. Top with fresh green onions for an added dash of aroma and flavor.
What are some tips for achieving perfectly crispy fried chicken at home?
Watch the oil’s temperature, let chicken sit on a rack to drip excess oil, and don’t overcrowd the frying pan.
What makes the PF Chang’s Honey Chicken recipe so appealing?
It’s the perfect mix of sweet and savory. This recipe lets you enjoy a beloved restaurant dish from the comfort of home.
What are some variations or substitutions for the Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken recipe?
Use chicken thighs for juicier meat, tweak honey amounts for sweetness, or toss in veggies for a nutritional boost.
What other dishes can the Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken be paired with?
Pair it with fried rice, egg rolls, and steamed or stir-fried veggies for a full, tasty Asian feast.
How should the leftover Copycat PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Chicken be stored and reheated?
Store unsauced chicken separately and warm it up before the sauce for best results.
The Best PF Chang’s Honey Chicken Recipe You Ever Did Try!
Equipment
- Large mixing bowls
- Deep fryer or large pot
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Paper towels
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat them in the cornstarch mixture.
- Heat a few inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
Fry the Chicken:
- Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry for about 5-7 minutes, until they are golden and crispy.
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for an additional 10-15 minutes, until fully cooked.
Make the Honey Sauce:
- While the chicken is baking, combine the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and chili flakes in a small saucepan.
- Heat the sauce over medium heat until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce until it thickens.
Combine and Serve:
- When the chicken is done baking, toss it in the honey sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve the chicken with rice and your favorite vegetables.
Notes
-
Frying Tips:
- Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and stays crispy.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pan, as this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.
- Use a candy thermometer to monitor oil temperature.
-
Sauce Consistency:
- The cornstarch slurry should be added gradually to achieve the desired sauce thickness. The sauce should resemble the consistency of loose honey.
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a small amount of water or chicken broth.
-
Marinating:
- Marinating the chicken in the cornstarch mixture for at least 20 minutes can help tenderize the meat and ensure the batter adheres well.
-
Reheating Leftovers:
- Store the unsauced chicken separately from the sauce. Reheat the chicken in an oven at 400°F for about 10 minutes to restore its crispiness. Heat the sauce separately and toss the chicken in the sauce before serving.
-
Spicy Honey Chicken:
- Add more chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce to increase the heat.
- Incorporate finely chopped fresh chili peppers into the batter for an extra kick.
-
Gluten-Free Option:
- Substitute cornstarch with gluten-free flour or a combination of rice flour and cornstarch.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the sauce.
-
Honey Garlic Chicken:
- Increase the amount of garlic in the sauce for a more pronounced garlic flavor.
- Add finely minced garlic to the batter for a garlic-infused crust.
-
Lemon Honey Chicken:
- Substitute rice vinegar with fresh lemon juice in the sauce for a tangy twist.
- Add lemon zest to the batter for a refreshing citrus note.
-
Vegetable Additions:
- Add stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas to the dish for extra color and nutrition.
- Toss the vegetables in the honey sauce before adding the chicken.
-
Honey Almond Chicken:
- Garnish the dish with toasted almond slices for added texture and a nutty flavor.
- Mix a small amount of almond extract into the sauce for an aromatic twist.
- Serve over jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles.
- Pair with a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Top with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.
