Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns are the perfect easy dinner. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that crispy, sticky texture every time. The crispy chicken, soft buns, and sweet and savory sauce will make your whole family beg for more. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes and Easy Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers for Appetizers.
Why This Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken with a sticky, sweet and savory glaze
- Soft, pillowy buns that hold everything together
- Easy to make and better than takeout
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 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 4 bao buns
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water
- Optional: Green onions, sliced
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Crispy nori strips
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use thighs.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks chicken quickly and evenly → See on Amazon
- Bao Bun Steamer — Ensures perfectly steamed buns → 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 and pepper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Stir in cornstarch slurry. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Steam bao buns according to package instructions. Stuff each bun with chicken and sauce. Top with green onions, sesame seeds, and crispy nori strips.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become tough and dry. Cook it until it's no longer pink and then let it rest before adding the sauce.
- Tip: For extra crispy chicken, pat it dry before cooking.
- Tip: You can make the sauce ahead of time and reheat it when you're ready to cook the chicken.
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 ahead of time. Steam the buns and assemble just before serving.
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 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 spicy version, add some Sriracha or chili flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with tofu or pork.
- Make-ahead: You can make the sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time. Steam the buns and assemble just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water.
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
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 4 bao buns
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water
Optional Toppings
- Green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- Crispy nori strips
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Stir in cornstarch slurry. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Steam bao buns according to package instructions. Stuff each bun with chicken and sauce. Top with green onions, sesame seeds, and crispy nori strips.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add some Sriracha or chili flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with tofu or pork.
- Make-ahead: You can make the sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time. Steam the buns and assemble just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked chicken for up to 3 months.
- 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 ahead of time. Steam the buns and assemble just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- 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 sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time. Steam the buns and assemble just before serving.
You may have overcooked the chicken. Cook it until it's no longer pink and then let it rest before adding the sauce.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked chicken for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes.
You can substitute the chicken with tofu or pork.
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!
