Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Looking for a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory? The Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is the answer. With a tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful glaze, this dish brings together the best of honey’s sweetness, garlic’s aromatic depth, and a kick of spice. Whether you serve it over rice, with vegetables, or simply on its own, this chicken recipe is bound to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Flavor Explosion: The sweet honey perfectly balances the heat from the chili flakes, garlic, and optional cayenne pepper, creating a mouthwatering experience with every bite.
2. Simple and Quick: Despite its rich flavor, this dish comes together in just under 30 minutes.
3. Customizable: Adjust the spice level to your liking and add extra ingredients to suit your preferences.
4. Versatile: This dish pairs well with rice, pasta, vegetables, or even a crisp salad.
5. Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping, as the flavors continue to develop over time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Season the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder for extra flavor if you’d like.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken. Sear the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C). If using chicken thighs, it might take slightly longer.
3. Remove the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate to rest.

Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and sriracha sauce. Taste and adjust the sauce to your desired spice level. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little extra honey.
2. Thicken the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic mixture into the same skillet you used for the chicken. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and the sauce to reduce slightly.
3. Add the Cornstarch Slurry: Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then add it to the sauce while stirring constantly. This will help thicken the sauce and give it a nice, sticky consistency. Cook for another minute or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
4. Add the Sesame Oil: If using sesame oil, stir it into the sauce now for an added depth of flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Chicken and Sauce

1. Return the Chicken to the Pan: Place the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the honey garlic sauce.
2. Coat the Chicken: Spoon the sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is generously coated. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to soak up all the delicious flavors.
3. Check the Temperature: Ensure that the chicken is heated through and the internal temperature has reached 165°F (75°C).

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish: Once the chicken is coated in the sauce, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful presentation.
2. Serve: Serve the Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken over rice, with a side of vegetables, or on a bed of noodles. It can also be enjoyed as a standalone dish, perfect for a quick dinner.

Tips for Success

1. Adjust the Spice: You can control the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, and chili powder. For a milder dish, omit the sriracha and reduce the red pepper flakes.
2. Chicken Options: While this recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, you can use bone-in chicken pieces or even chicken tenders. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
3. Thicker Sauce: If you prefer an even thicker sauce, you can add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water, or simply let the sauce simmer for longer until it reaches your desired consistency.
4. Make It Ahead: You can prep the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you’re ready to cook, simply reheat the sauce and follow the steps for cooking the chicken.

Serving Suggestions

The Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some suggestions to round out your meal:

• Rice: Serve with steamed jasmine rice, basmati rice, or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts make excellent sides.
• Noodles: Serve over a bed of rice noodles or spaghetti for an extra indulgence.
• Salad: Pair with a light side salad, such as an Asian sesame salad, for a fresh contrast to the rich flavors.

Variations and Customizations

1. Add Vegetables: For a one-pan meal, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and snap peas directly into the skillet while cooking the chicken. Allow the vegetables to cook in the sauce for added flavor.
2. Substitute Honey: If you’re looking for a lower-sugar alternative, you can substitute the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, although the flavor will slightly change.
3. Add Pineapple: For a sweet and savory twist, toss in some fresh pineapple chunks or pineapple juice into the sauce while simmering. The sweetness from the pineapple complements the spiciness of the chicken.
4. Make it Extra Crispy: Coat the chicken in cornstarch or flour before pan-frying it to get a crisp, golden crust before adding the honey garlic sauce.

Conclusion

The Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken is a show-stopping dish that is both incredibly flavorful and quick to make. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s full of bold, sweet, and savory flavors. Whether you like it mild or spicy, you can easily adjust the seasoning to suit your tastes. The tender, juicy chicken paired with a sticky, flavorful sauce is a combination that will keep you coming back for more.

Yield: 4

Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

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Looking for a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory? The Best Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is the answer. With a tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful glaze, this dish brings together the best of honey’s sweetness, garlic’s aromatic depth, and a kick of spice. Whether you serve it over rice, with vegetables, or simply on its own, this chicken recipe is bound to become a family favorite.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Chicken
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)
• For the Sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon water (if using cornstarch)
• For Garnish
• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

2. Make the Spicy Honey Garlic Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic).
3. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, sriracha sauce, and rice vinegar.
4. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in water and stir it into the sauce. Let it cook for another minute to thicken.

3. Coat the Chicken

1. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, turning to coat the chicken evenly.

4. Garnish and Serve

1. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a serving platter.
2. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the chicken and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
3. Serve with steamed rice, vegetables, or your favorite side dish.

Notes

Adjust the Spice Level: Add more or less sriracha depending on your heat preference. You can also substitute sriracha with chili flakes for a different kind of heat.

Add Vegetables: Add bell peppers, onions, or broccoli to the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking for a complete meal.

Use Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs can be used for extra flavor and tenderness. Adjust cooking time accordingly.