Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken

• 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cupsflour
• 4 tspsalt
• 4 tspblack pepper
• 3 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbspfreshly ground nutmeg
• 2 tspground thyme
• 2 tspground sage
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 4eggs
• 8 tbspwater
• 2 tbspolive oil
• 3-4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cuphoney
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium soy sauce is best)
• 1 tspground black pepper
• canola oil for frying

Cooking Directions

 Place the chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and using a meat mallet, pound the meat to an even 1/2 inch thickness. Alternatively, you can slice the breasts by placing them flat on a cutting board and using a very sharp knife to slice them into halves horizontally.

1.       Sift together the flour, salt, black pepper, ground ginger, nutmeg, thyme, sage paprika and cayenne pepper. NOTE: This flour and spice dredge mix is sufficient for two batches of this chicken recipe. You can store the leftover mix in a Ziploc bag in the freezer for the next time you make this recipe...and there will be a next time.

2.       Make an egg wash by whisking together the eggs and water.

3.       Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then dip the meat in the flour and spice mixture. Dip the breast into the eggwash and then a final time into the flour and spice mix, pressing the mix into the meat to get good contact.

4.       Heat a skillet on the stove with about a half inch of canola oil covering the bottom. You will want to carefully regulate the temperature here so that the chicken does not brown too quickly. The thinness of the breast meat practically guarantees that it will be fully cooked by the time the outside is browned. I find just below medium heat works well. I use a burner setting of about 4 1/2 out of 10 on the dial and fry them gently for about 4 or 5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

5.       Drain on a wire rack for a couple of minutes before dipping the cooked breasts into the Honey Garlic Sauce. Serve with noodles or rice.

6.       To make the Honey Garlic Sauce:

7.       In a medium saucepan add the 2 tbsp olive oil and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat to soften the garlic but do not let it brown.

8.      Add the honey, soy sauce and black pepper.

9.       Simmer together for 5-10 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Watch this carefully as it simmers because it can foam up over the pot very easily.