Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns are the best easy dinner. After making these many times, I’ve perfected the crispy, golden chicken that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup for Cozy Weeknight Dinner and Burnt Honey Pie with Flaky Oat Crust Recipe.
Why This Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy chicken that's better than takeout
- Soft, fluffy buns that are easy to make at home
- Sticky, sweet, and savory sauce that's addictive
- Perfect for meal prepping and freezing
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 thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp Sriracha (optional)
- 8 bao buns
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cornstarch
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Optional: Pickled vegetables
- Optional: Sriracha
- Optional: Mayonnaise
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for this recipe. You can also use chicken breasts, but they may dry out more easily.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks chicken quickly and evenly → See on Amazon
- Bamboo Steamer — Steams buns perfectly every time → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and Sriracha (if using). Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, until crispy and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add 1/4 cup of water and the reserved marinade. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened. Stir in 1 tbsp of cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp of water.
- Steam the buns: Place buns in a bamboo steamer and steam for 5-7 minutes, until heated through.
- Assemble the buns: Slice chicken and place a piece in each bun. Spoon sauce over the chicken. Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with pickled vegetables, Sriracha, and mayonnaise if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will dry out. If it's not cooked through, finish it in the oven.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy chicken, pat it dry before cooking.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, steam buns and cook chicken, then reheat in the oven 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 leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Buns can be steamed up to 1 hour ahead.
Freezing Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Freeze uncooked buns for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier sauce, add more Sriracha to the marinade.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs, but be careful not to overcook.
- Make-ahead: Buns can be steamed up to 1 hour ahead. Reheat in the oven before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Sticky Chicken Bao Buns Recipe for Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp Sriracha (optional)
- 8 bao buns
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cornstarch
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
Optional Toppings
- Pickled vegetables
- Sriracha
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and Sriracha (if using). Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, until crispy and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add 1/4 cup of water and the reserved marinade. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened. Stir in 1 tbsp of cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp of water.
- Steam the buns: Place buns in a bamboo steamer and steam for 5-7 minutes, until heated through.
- Assemble the buns: Slice chicken and place a piece in each bun. Spoon sauce over the chicken. Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with pickled vegetables, Sriracha, and mayonnaise if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier sauce, add more Sriracha to the marinade.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs, but be careful not to overcook.
- Make-ahead: Buns can be steamed up to 1 hour ahead. Reheat in the oven before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked buns for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Buns can be steamed up to 1 hour ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- 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, buns can be steamed up to 1 hour ahead. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Make sure to cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F, but no more.
Yes, uncooked buns can be frozen for up to 3 months. Steam from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the steaming time.
Yes, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Chicken breasts can be used, but they may dry out more easily. Be careful not to overcook.
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!
