Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns are the ultimate easy dinner! After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the crispy, golden chicken that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Rice Dinner Recipe and Easy Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese and Oats.
Why This Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy chicken that's better than takeout
- Soft, pillowy buns that are easy to make
- Sticky, sweet sauce that's perfect for dipping
- A fun, interactive meal that's great for the whole family
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.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Bao buns
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs: You can also use chicken breasts, but thighs stay juicier.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks chicken quickly and evenly → See on Amazon
- Bamboo Steamer — Steams buns perfectly every time → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
- Step 2: Heat oil in a pan, add chicken, and cook until crispy and golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and cook until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch mixture. Stir until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add chicken back to the pan, toss to coat in sauce. Cook for another minute.
- Step 5: Steam buns according to package instructions. Once done, open them up and fill with chicken. Drizzle with extra sauce and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken. Cook in batches if needed to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Time-saving tip: You can make the sauce ahead of time and reheat when ready to use.
- Nutrition tip: Use light soy sauce and less oil to make this dish healthier.
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: You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra crispy chicken, pat the chicken dry before seasoning and cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick pan — Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Bao buns
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cornstarch
- Vegetable oil
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
- Step 2: Heat oil in a pan, add chicken, and cook until crispy and golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and cook until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch mixture. Stir until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add chicken back to the pan, toss to coat in sauce. Cook for another minute.
- Step 5: Steam buns according to package instructions. Once done, open them up and fill with chicken. Drizzle with extra sauce and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra crispy chicken, pat the chicken dry before seasoning and cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make the chicken ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve. The sauce can also be made ahead of time.
Overcooking the chicken can cause it to become dry. Make sure to cook it until it's no longer pink in the middle, but not too long.
Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. Thighs stay juicier, but breasts will also work.
Yes, you can make the chicken in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
The best way to reheat the buns is to steam them again for a few minutes. You can also microwave them for a short time, but they may become a little tough.
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!
