Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns are the best easy dinner. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve perfected the crispy, golden chicken that’s better than takeout. The trick is to marinate the chicken in a honey garlic sauce, then cook it until it’s crispy. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe and Easy Sugar Free Blueberry Syrup for Italian Cream Soda.
Why This Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy chicken
- Soft, steamed buns
- Better than takeout
- Easy dinner recipe
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.
- Chicken breasts
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Bao buns
- Honey garlic sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Optional: Sriracha
- Optional: Mayonnaise
- Optional: Pickled vegetables
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks chicken quickly and evenly → See on Amazon
- Bamboo Steamer — Steams buns perfectly → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Marinate the chicken: Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Cook chicken in a pan until crispy. Set aside.
- Steam the buns: Steam buns in a bamboo steamer for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the buns: Place a piece of chicken in each bun. Top with sesame seeds and green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It will become dry. To fix, use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy chicken, pat it dry before cooking.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, steam the buns and cook the chicken. Assemble just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover buns in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Freezing Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Freeze uncooked chicken for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat buns in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some Sriracha to the honey garlic sauce.
- Best substitution: No buns? Use lettuce wraps instead.
- Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. Double the ingredients for 8 servings.
- Troubleshooting: If buns are sticking, lightly grease the steamer before steaming.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to perfection → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Bao buns
Seasonings
- Honey garlic sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
Optional Toppings
- Sriracha
- Mayonnaise
- Pickled vegetables
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Cook chicken in a pan until crispy. Set aside.
- Steam the buns: Steam buns in a bamboo steamer for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the buns: Place a piece of chicken in each bun. Top with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some Sriracha to the honey garlic sauce.
- Best substitution: No buns? Use lettuce wraps instead.
- Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. Double the ingredients for 8 servings.
- Troubleshooting: If buns are sticking, lightly grease the steamer before steaming.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover buns in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked chicken for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat buns in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- 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
Yes, steam the buns and cook the chicken ahead. Assemble just before serving.
Lightly grease the steamer before steaming to prevent sticking.
Yes, freeze uncooked chicken for up to 3 months.
Pat the chicken dry before cooking for extra crispiness.
Reheat buns in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
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!
