Preheat your oven to 400F. It’s essential to have your oven hot and ready for the chicken to cook evenly and develop that beautiful golden color.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to toss everything together until the chicken is well-coated. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy texture.
Prepare a large baking sheet by placing the chicken on it. Pour any remaining cornstarch from the bowl over the chicken. Drizzle with olive oil, ensuring that every piece is lightly coated. This helps in browning the chicken nicely.
Bake the chicken for about 10 to 15 minutes, flipping once midway through for even cooking. Keep an eye on it, as smaller pieces will cook faster. You want the internal temperature to reach 165F to ensure it’s cooked through.
While the chicken bakes, take a large skillet and add the reserved tablespoon of cornstarch, honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, remaining salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Heat the mixture over medium to medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This will help dissolve the brown sugar and create a delicious glaze. Taste the sauce and adjust for flavor as needed.
Once the chicken is done baking, transfer it straight into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently to ensure each piece of chicken is well-coated.
Cook the chicken in the sauce for about 1 to 2 minutes over medium-low heat. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Finally, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. This adds a lovely crunch and a pop of color to your dish. Serve hot!
