Addictive Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe

Crispy chicken pieces glazed with honey pepper sauce promise an explosion of flavors you’ll absolutely devour.

The combination of sweet and spicy elements creates a mouthwatering dish that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet exciting recipes that deliver maximum taste with minimal effort.

Our honey pepper chicken checks all those boxes with its perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Each bite combines tender meat coated in a glossy, zesty sauce that dances across your palate.

Vibrant peppers add color and crunch, making this meal as visually appealing as it is delicious.

This recipe will become your new go-to meal when you want something quick, exciting, and totally irresistible.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table with this incredible flavor adventure.

Great Pairings For Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Sip Spicy Sangria: Complement the honey pepper chicken's sweet heat with a chilled red sangria featuring diced apples and a hint of cinnamon, balancing the dish's bold flavors.
• Pair with Pilsner Perfection: Choose a crisp, light pilsner beer that cuts through the chicken's richness while its mild hoppiness enhances the spicy-sweet sauce.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Create a refreshing side of sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and fresh dill to provide a crisp, cooling contrast to the spicy chicken.
• Match with Jasmine Rice: Serve fluffy jasmine rice alongside the chicken to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a neutral base for the intense flavor profile.

Try These Versions Of Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Tropical Mango Chili Chicken: Swap honey with mango puree and add Caribbean-style hot sauce for a fruity, fiery kick. Replace red pepper flakes with diced scotch bonnet peppers for intense heat.
• Korean BBQ Chicken Remix: Incorporate gochujang paste instead of traditional hot sauce. Use rice vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar and add a splash of sesame oil for authentic Korean flavor profile.
• Bourbon Glazed Spicy Chicken: Substitute part of the honey with bourbon whiskey for a rich, complex sauce. Include smoked paprika and a dash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance depth of flavor.
• Citrus Chili Chicken Fusion: Replace honey with orange marmalade and add lime zest. Include fresh cilantro and reduce hot sauce intensity with fresh orange juice for a zesty, vibrant version.

Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken FAQs Answered

• Why use cornstarch when coating the chicken?

Cornstarch creates a crispy, light exterior that helps the chicken stay crunchy even after adding the sauce. It also helps the egg and flour stick better to the chicken, ensuring a perfect golden-brown coating.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! Reduce or omit the hot sauce and red pepper flakes. You can control the heat level by adjusting these ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

• What if I don't have apple cider vinegar?

You can substitute with rice vinegar or white wine vinegar. These alternatives will still provide the tangy flavor needed to balance the sweetness of the honey.

• Is this dish kid-friendly?

By adjusting the spice level, this chicken can be a great meal for families. Kids often love the sweet and crispy chicken, and you can make it mild by reducing the hot ingredients.

Why Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Stands Out

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up this mouthwatering chicken dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavors in just 30 minutes, guaranteed to impress family and friends with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize Your Kick: Perfectly adaptable recipe allows you to control the heat level by adjusting hot sauce and red pepper flakes, making it suitable for both spice lovers and mild-flavor fans.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses simple, affordable ingredients found in most kitchen pantries, creating a delicious meal that feels gourmet without breaking the bank or requiring specialized cooking techniques.
• Versatile Dinner Solution: Works brilliantly as a weeknight family dinner, game day appetizer, or casual potluck contribution that appeals to both kids and adults with its irresistible sweet and spicy profile.

Everything You’ll Need For Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Chicken Pieces: Tender protein that forms the main component of the dish, best when using boneless and skinless chicken.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing chicken's natural flavor.
• Cornstarch, Flour: Create a crispy exterior that helps the chicken stay crunchy.
• Eggs: Helps coating ingredients stick to the chicken surface.

• Honey, Soy Sauce: Provides sweet and savory base for the sauce.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to balance sweetness.
• Ketchup, Hot Sauce, Red Pepper Flakes: Create complex spicy and sweet flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic quality to the sauce.
• Cornstarch, Water: Used to thicken sauce and create glossy texture.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Adds fresh color, texture, and nutty flavor to the final dish.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying chicken to achieve golden, crispy exterior.

How To Cook Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Fast

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Cornstarch bowl
• Beaten eggs bowl
• Flour bowl

Dip each chicken piece through the stations, ensuring a full, crispy embrace.

Step 2: Create Crispy Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet until it dances with heat. Carefully place chicken pieces into the sizzling oil. Fry each batch until they turn a gorgeous golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Let them rest on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Craft Explosive Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ketchup
• Hot sauce
• Red pepper flakes
• Minced garlic
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, letting the flavors mingle and dance.

Step 4: Thicken Sauce Magic

Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by mixing water and cornstarch. Pour into the simmering sauce and stir continuously. Watch the sauce transform and thicken into a glossy, clinging masterpiece.

Step 5: Marry Chicken and Sauce

Gently add the crispy chicken pieces into the bubbling sauce. Toss and coat each piece, ensuring every inch is covered in the sweet and spicy goodness.

Step 6: Elevate with Garnish

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken. These final touches add a fresh crunch and visual appeal that will make mouths water.

Serve hot and watch everyone dive into this irresistible dish!

Tips That Help With Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Crisp Coating Technique: Use a light, even cornstarch layer to create an ultra-crispy exterior that locks in chicken's juiciness and provides perfect crunch.
• Smart Frying Strategy: Work in small batches to maintain oil temperature, ensuring each chicken piece gets golden-brown and crispy without becoming greasy.
• Sauce Balance Mastery: Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control spice level, making the dish adaptable for mild or heat-loving palates.
• Quick Cornstarch Trick: Mix cornstarch with cold water to prevent lumps when thickening sauce, creating a smooth, glossy consistency that clings perfectly to chicken.
• Easy Make-Ahead Option: Prepare chicken and sauce separately, then combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy coating.

Best Way To Store Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for maximum freshness, keeping it tasty for 3-4 days.
• Separate the chicken from the sauce to prevent sogginess and maintain its crispy texture.
• When reheating, use an oven or air fryer to restore the original crunchiness – microwave can make the coating soft and less appealing.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, ensuring you have a quick meal ready when needed.
• Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and potential bacterial growth.

Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Honey pepper chicken brings together bold Asian-inspired flavors in a quick weeknight dinner. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with a perfect balance of sweet honey and fiery pepper create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup (60 grams) flour
• ½ cup (60 grams) cornstarch
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Sauce Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (113 grams) honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Garnish:

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by generously seasoning with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage. Create a three-stage coating process: first dredge each piece in cornstarch, then dip into whisked eggs, and finally roll in flour for a crispy exterior.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, frying in small batches to maintain optimal crispiness. Cook until each piece develops a rich golden-brown color and reaches a crisp texture, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer fried chicken to paper towels to drain excess oil.
3. Craft the sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and ground black pepper in a separate saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
4. Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking water and cornstarch together until smooth. Gradually incorporate the slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and promote even thickening. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches a glossy, clingy consistency.
5. Gently introduce the crispy chicken pieces into the sauce, carefully tossing to ensure each piece is completely and evenly coated with the sweet and spicy glaze.
6. Elevate the dish’s presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the glazed chicken. Serve immediately while the chicken remains crisp and the sauce is warm.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are evenly sized for consistent cooking and crispy texture.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help cornstarch and flour coating adhere perfectly.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for optimal crispiness without burning.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing hot sauce and red pepper flakes according to personal heat tolerance.
• Make the dish gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend.
• Prepare cornstarch slurry separately and whisk thoroughly to prevent lumps in the sauce.
• For extra crunch, double-coat chicken by repeating egg and flour dredging process.
• Allow chicken to rest on paper towels for a few minutes to maintain crispy exterior when tossing in sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 26g
• Cholesterol: 140mg