Description
Chicken dishes get a flavor-packed upgrade with Sweet and Spicy Chicken that brings serious zest to your dinner table. Perfectly balanced spices and a quick marinade make this recipe a weeknight winner that turns ordinary chicken into something spectacular.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 garlic cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 green onion
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Trim 450 grams (1½ pounds) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, removing excess fat. Cut into 2.5-centimeter (1-inch) bite-sized pieces. Allow chicken to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Combine 45 milliliters (3 tablespoons) soy sauce, 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) honey, 15 grams (1 tablespoon) brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 5 grams (1 teaspoon) crushed red pepper flakes, 2.5 grams (½ teaspoon) black pepper, and 2.5 grams (½ teaspoon) salt in a small bowl. Whisk until ingredients blend smoothly.
- Warm 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 204°C (400°F). Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding. Sear for 4-6 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Pour prepared sauce over chicken in the skillet. Stir to coat each piece completely. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly reduce.
- Mix 8 grams (1 tablespoon) cornstarch with 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) water in a separate small bowl. Create a smooth slurry without lumps. Pour into skillet and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Drizzle 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) sesame oil over the chicken. Toss gently to distribute. Transfer to serving plate and garnish with 1 finely chopped green onion and optional sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to develop deeper taste.
- Balance the heat by adjusting the amount of chili paste or using a milder version if sensitive to spice.
- Pat the chicken dry before cooking to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin that caramelizes beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 291 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 675 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg