Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns are the perfect easy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that crispy, golden chicken skin. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole for Dinner and Easy No Bake Lemon Pie Recipe for Refreshing Desserts.

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.

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 8-10 bao buns
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Green onions, sliced
• Optional: Sesame seeds
• Optional: Cilantro, chopped

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

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken. Cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a boil. Add the chicken back in, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Steam bao buns according to package instructions. Once done, slice chicken and serve in buns. Top with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

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 sauce and cook the chicken up to 2 days ahead.

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 a healthier version, use chicken breasts and reduce the honey to 1/4 cup.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with pork or tofu.
• Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
• Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the pan, it's not hot enough. Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken.

Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

30 mins

⏳

Total

45 mins

🍽

Serves

8-10 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free (if using gluten-free buns)

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 8-10 bao buns

Seasonings

• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds
• Cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken. Cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a boil. Add the chicken back in, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Steam bao buns according to package instructions. Once done, slice chicken and serve in buns. Top with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a healthier version, use chicken breasts and reduce the honey to 1/4 cup.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with pork or tofu.
• Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
• Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the pan, it's not hot enough. Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken.

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 sauce and cook the chicken up to 2 days ahead.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 1600mg
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sat. Fat: 3.5g

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

Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner FAQs

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!