Irresistible Sweet and Spicy Chicken Recipe for Dinner Magic

Crispy chicken reaches new heights with this sweet and spicy chicken recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance.

The combination of heat and sugary notes creates a magical flavor profile.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with these incredibly simple ingredients.

Tangy glazes coat tender meat, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together in the kitchen.

Bold spices and unexpected flavor combinations set this recipe apart from ordinary chicken meals.

You’ll want to bookmark this crowd-pleasing recipe that turns an everyday protein into something extraordinary.

Why You’ll Crave This Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Whip Up Quick Flavor Explosion: This recipe delivers maximum taste with minimal effort, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality meals in under 30 minutes.
• Master Easy Asian-Inspired Cooking: No advanced culinary skills required, making it an accessible dish for beginners and intermediate home chefs who want to explore bold, exciting flavors.
• Create Versatile Weeknight Wonder: Adaptable to different dietary preferences, this chicken can be served with rice, noodles, or vegetables, ensuring a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies everyone at the dinner table.
• Customize Spice Level with Confidence: Control the heat by adjusting sriracha quantity, allowing each cook to personalize the dish to their preferred spiciness without compromising the overall delicious balance of sweet and tangy notes.

What You’ll Need For Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Chicken: Tender meat that forms the main protein of the dish, best with boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Black Pepper: Creates a crispy exterior and provides seasoning for the chicken.
• Water: Helps create cornstarch slurry for sauce thickening.

• Honey, Brown Sugar: Provides sweet base and caramelization for the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and depth of flavor, low-sodium option recommended.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings tangy brightness to balance sweetness.
• Sriracha: Adds spicy kick, adjust for heat preference.
• Ketchup: Contributes sweet-tangy complexity.
• Garlic, Ginger: Fresh aromatics that enhance overall flavor profile.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for searing chicken, ensures even golden browning.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Adds texture and fresh finishing touch to the dish.

• White Rice, Brown Rice, Noodles, Steamed Vegetables: Complementary side dishes for serving.

How To Make Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Golden Chicken Pieces

• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage the seasonings into the chicken until every piece is beautifully dressed. Heat up a skillet with vegetable oil and dance the chicken around until it turns a gorgeous golden brown. Cook until the chicken is fully done, then park it on a clean plate.

Step 2: Craft Explosive Flavor Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sriracha
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Whisk everything into a wild symphony of flavors. Pour the sauce into the same skillet and let it bubble. Create a quick cornstarch magic potion by mixing cornstarch with water, then stir it into the sauce. Watch it transform and thicken like culinary artwork.

Step 3: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Gently slide the chicken back into the skillet. Give everything a loving toss so each piece gets completely drenched in the tantalizing sauce. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and dance.

Step 4: Dress and Serve

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Slide this masterpiece over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside crisp vegetables. Your taste buds are about to go on an adventure!

Top Tips For Juicy Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Boost Coating Crispiness: Use a mixture of cornstarch and flour for an extra crispy chicken exterior that locks in moisture and creates a delightful crunch.
• Manage Spice Levels: Adjust sriracha quantity to control heat intensity – less for mild lovers, more for spice enthusiasts who enjoy a fiery kick.
• Perfect Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to chicken pieces.
• Meal Prep Magic: Cook larger batches and store in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners, as the flavors develop and intensify overnight.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace honey with maple syrup for a vegan version, or use gluten-free soy sauce to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.

How To Store Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe Without Losing Heat

• Refrigerate leftover sweet and spicy chicken in an airtight container to maintain its delicious flavor and texture.
• Store the chicken for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping it fresh and ready for quick reheating.
• Preserve the dish by letting it cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and potential bacterial growth.
• Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to keep the chicken moist and prevent drying out.
• Avoid freezing this recipe, as the sauce may separate and change texture when thawed, potentially compromising the dish's original taste and quality.

Perfect Pairings For Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Pair with Zesty Rice Complement: Jasmine or basmati rice perfectly balances the sweet and spicy chicken, absorbing the rich sauce while providing a light, fragrant base that enhances the dish's complex flavors.
• Refresh with Crisp Beverage: A cold Asian-style lager like Tsingtao or a slightly sweet riesling wine cuts through the chicken's heat and complements its sticky, tangy sauce, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Balance with Cool Side Salad: A cucumber and green onion salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil provides a refreshing contrast to the chicken's intense flavors, offering a crisp and light counterpoint to the rich main dish.
• Enhance with Crunchy Texture: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts on top to add a delightful nutty crunch that elevates the chicken's texture and introduces an additional layer of depth to each bite.

Tasty Twists On Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Tropical Heat Wave: Swap sriracha for mango habanero sauce and add pineapple chunks during the final simmering stage for a fruity, spicy Caribbean-inspired version.
• Korean BBQ Remix: Replace honey with gochujang, add sesame oil, and garnish with kimchi and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic Korean street food experience.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Substitute soy sauce with lemon juice, add oregano and dried basil, and finish with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired chicken dish.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Mix in red curry paste, coconut milk instead of ketchup, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a creamy, aromatic Southeast Asian flavor profile.

Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe Questions Answered

• Why use cornstarch when coating the chicken?

Cornstarch creates a crispy exterior and helps the chicken brown beautifully while sealing in moisture, ensuring a deliciously tender bite every time.

• Can I substitute sriracha if it's too spicy?

Absolutely! You can replace sriracha with chili garlic sauce, hot sauce, or even use less to control the heat level while maintaining the sauce’s flavor profile.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. When cut, the meat should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• Is this recipe considered a healthy meal option?

While tasty, this dish is moderately high in sugar and calories. For a lighter version, you can reduce honey and brown sugar, and use low-sodium soy sauce to make it more nutritionally balanced.

Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent sweet and spicy chicken dances with bold Korean-inspired flavors, promising a culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds. Crispy, caramelized edges and a zesty sauce invite you to savor each mouthwatering bite of this irresistible dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 500 g (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust for spice level)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Aromatics and Garnish:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by creating a protective coating. Gently dredge chicken pieces through a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly and thoroughly covered.
2. Activate a large skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place coated chicken into the hot pan, allowing each piece to transform into a golden, crispy exterior. Rotate periodically to achieve uniform cooking, approximately 5-7 minutes. Once fully cooked, transfer chicken to a separate plate.
3. Craft the vibrant sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients until they form a harmonious blend.
4. Pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet, creating a simmering environment. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to enhance thickness and consistency. Allow the sauce to gently bubble and reduce, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes.
5. Reintroduce the golden chicken pieces into the skillet, gently tumbling them to ensure complete sauce coverage. Let the chicken warm through and absorb the complex flavor profile for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Present the dish with an elegant finishing touch. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions across the top for visual appeal and additional flavor depth.
7. Complement the sweet and spicy chicken by serving over steamed rice, alongside noodles, or with a medley of colorful, tender vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are similar in size for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Pat chicken dry before coating with cornstarch to help achieve a crispier exterior and better sauce adherence.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing sriracha amount to suit personal heat tolerance and dietary preferences.
• Choose low-sodium soy sauce and honey for a healthier version without compromising flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg