Honey Ginger Chicken Bites

These bite-sized appetizers are steeped in a mixture of garlic, soy sauce, ginger, citrus and honey. The marinade is then reduced and used to glaze the chicken. Originally from a local paper food section on cooking light. You may substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs and you may want to add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you like your food spicy! Prep time does not include marinating time.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 appetizer servings

Ingredients

• 2⁄3 cup honey
• 2  tablespoons  peeled minced fresh ginger
• 2  tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2  tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2  tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 2  teaspoons  dark sesame oil
• 1  teaspoon  grated  orange rind
• 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1⁄4 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 16 thighs)
•  cooking spray
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 2  teaspoons water
• 2  teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted (optional)

Directions

1. Combine honey, ginger, lemon juice, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, orange rind, Worcestershire sauce and garlic in a large zip-top plastic bag; seal and shake well.
2. Add chicken; seal and toss to coat.
3. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.
4. Preheat oven to 425°.
5. Remove chicken from bag, reserving marinade.
6. Arrange chicken in a single layer on the rack of a broiling pan coated with cooking spray.
7. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and bake for 20 minutes, stirring once.
8. While chicken is cooking, strain marinade through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids.
9. Place marinade in a saucepan; bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes, skimming solids from surface.
10. Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.
11. Add cornstarch mixture to pan, stirring with a whisk; cook 1 minute.
12. Remove from heat and pour glaze into a large bowl.
13. Preheat broiler.
14. Add chicken to glaze; toss well to coat.
15. Place chicken mixture on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray; broil 5 minutes or until browned, stirring twice.
16. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.