Paleo Honey Garlic Chicken

Tender and succulent chicken is coated in a delicate, golden crust, then slathered in a simple, sticky honey garlic sauce that’s an irresistible combination of savory and sweet! Paleo honey chicken is a true crowd-pleaser that the whole family will fall in love with!

It’s hard for me to choose the best part of this recipe. Some days it’s the juicy chicken, other days it’s that incredibly satisfying crunch when you bite into the crispy, grain-free crust. Either way, it’s one of those dinners that feels special from the very first bite.

Then there’s the honey garlic sauce. It’s made from just a handful of simple ingredients, but somehow hits that perfect balance of sweet, garlicky, and savory. It cooks down into a rich, glossy glaze that clings to every piece of chicken, and I always find myself wishing there was extra to spoon over everything else on my plate.

This is one of those recipes that proves you don’t need much to make something truly crave-worthy. It’s bold, comforting, and downright delicious.

Ingredients needed

Paleo honey garlic chicken is made with under ten ingredients, most of which are pantry staples! This is what you need:

Chicken : Opt for tenders, or use chicken breasts cut into strips.
Tapioca flour: Also known as tapioca starch. You can find it in most grocery stores or online .
Other ingredients: Almond flour, sea salt and black pepper, eggs, honey, garlic cloves, and cayenne.

Paleo Honey Garlic Chicken on a dinner plate with a salad - 2

Pouring honey over Paleo Honey Garlic Chicken on a dinner plate - 3

How to prevent the crust from falling off?

Lower-quality chicken is often pumped with water, which makes it appear to be a better value than smaller pieces of chicken. However, the water released during cooking can push the crust off. For this reason, opt for the best-quality chicken within your budget.
If you have the time, let your chicken rest! After you dip it in the almond flour, let it rest in the fridge for around 30-60 minutes so the crust has time to bind, allowing it to stick better to the chicken.
After you’ve dipped the chicken in the egg mixture, shake off any excess egg before dipping it into the almond flour. You want just a little moisture, but not too much!

What to serve with paleo honey garlic chicken

These paleo honey garlic chicken tenders work as a snack to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl, an appetizer, or as a super easy and delicious weeknight dinner. Keep it simple and serve with a big green salad or add beside some veggies to make it the main course!

Serve your honey garlic chicken on a bed of cauliflower fried rice or next to crispy roasted potatoes . Finish it off with a side of Asian coleslaw , honey roasted carrots , a broccoli and kale salad or sweet potatoes wedges .

Can I use another cut of chicken?

Yes! You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts and slice them into smaller, longer pieces. Or, if you want to use up whatever is in the fridge, this recipe will still work on skin-on and bone-on chicken cuts. We love eating these as tenders that you can sink your teeth into, but the flavors will still work.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Let the chicken cool completely before you put it in the container so the crust doesn’t get steamed and become too soft. You can also store leftovers in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I adjust the heat level?

Sure! You can do this by omitting cayenne pepper or increasing the amount. If you’re a fan of spice, use a hot sauce as a dipping sauce, or serve them beside hot honey , chipotle mayo , or bang bang sauce .