Crunchy Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

This recipe is another treat that has been floating around on pinterest for some time.  Sadly, every time I tried to click through to the original post I was directed to an error.  After a bit of snooping, I found the recipe at the blog Rock Recipes.  The site boasts to be "one of Canada's best food blogs."  I may have to spend a little more time on that blog to see what other gems out neighbors to the north may be offering!

adapted from Rock Recipes

serves 6-8

The Ingredients:

4 large, boneless skinless chicken breasts, split in half

for the breading:

1 1/2  cup flour

2 Tbsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tbsp ground nutmeg

1 1/2 Tbsp paprika

1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp black pepper

2 tsp ground thyme
2 tsp ground sage

1 tsp cayenne pepper

for the egg wash
3 eggs
6  tbsp water

for the honey garlic sauce:

2 Tbsp sesame oil
3 – 4 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp ground black pepper 

The Process:

Place each chicken cutlet between two pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap. Starting in the center and working out to edges, pound lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet until the chicken is an even 1/2" thickness.

In a shallow bowl large enough to accommodate the chicken, whisk together the the eggs and water.  In a large bowl sift together all of the breading ingredients.

Dip the chicken in the flour  mixture, coating evenly. Then dip into the eggwash. Return the chicken to the flour mixture, turning to ensure even coverage and gently pressing the breading into the egg wash.  Set aside and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Heat about 1/2" of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Working with 2-3 chicken pieces at a time, gently set the cutlets in the oil and fry gently until golden brown, 4-5 minutes per side.  Remove the chicken to paper towels to drain and then set in an oven preheated to 200 to stay warm.  Cook the remaining chicken in the same fashion.

for the garlic honey sauce:

Heat the sesame oil in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic and saute until tender and fragrant.  Add the honey, soy sauce and pepper; simmer for 5-10 minutes.

to serve:

Plate the chicken and generously drizzle with garlic honey sauce.

The Review:

Holy Mother of...

This dinner was originally supposed to be served to 4, accompanied by rice and stir fried snap peas.  Somehow the company expanded to 8.  The recipe comfortable fed us all...though we were all licking our plates by the end.

Adult chicken mcnuggets.  I'm not sure why this recipe evokes the comparison.  The breading was joyously crunchy, even after a brief rest in the oven.  I had worried they would become soggy if not served immediately.  Not the case.  The meat...tender and juicy and made even more amazing by the spice blend that blanketed it.  The nutmeg dominated the flavors, but in pleasant way...still allowing the pepper, ginger, sage and thyme to come through.  

The sauce though.  Oh the sauce!  It stole the show.  Tasting frequently as I added the honey, I stopped at 3/4 of a cup instead of the 1 cup the original recipe asked for.  And still I found it quite sweet.  But paired with the peppery and ginger laced chicken...

Maybe that's why my mind wandered to the childhood fast food favorite...tender nuggets of chicken coated in a peppery breaded, fried to perfection and drenched in glorious honey.  

But multiplied beyond compare. 

While all of the company that joined us this evening gladdened my heart, I was disappointed to discover that meant no leftovers.  

Ah well.  I suppose that means I will have to make this again...