Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns are the ultimate easy dinner solution. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to the crispiest chicken and the most irresistible honey garlic sauce. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil and Easy Mango Glazed Chicken Recipe with Sweet and Spicy Flavor.

What You'll Need for Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 bao buns
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Green onions, sliced
• Optional: Sesame seeds

How to Make Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
2. Step 2: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, combine honey, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, water, and remaining soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add chicken back to skillet and toss to coat in sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Step 5: Steam bao buns according to package instructions. Stuff each bun with chicken and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Storing & Reheating Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Chicken can be cooked up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet before serving.

Freezing Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

Freeze cooked chicken in the sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the skillet.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicier sauce, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a protein-packed alternative.
• Make-ahead: Steam bao buns and cook chicken separately. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water and stir to thin it out.

Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

35 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 bao buns

Seasonings

• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
2. Step 2: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, combine honey, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, water, and remaining soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add chicken back to skillet and toss to coat in sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Step 5: Steam bao buns according to package instructions. Stuff each bun with chicken and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicier sauce, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a protein-packed alternative.
• Make-ahead: Steam bao buns and cook chicken separately. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water and stir to thin it out.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in the sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the skillet.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
• Make ahead: Chicken can be cooked up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet before serving.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 1500mg
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!