This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is the ultimate dish when you want bold flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. The sweet notes from honey are perfectly balanced by a kick of heat from chili and pepper, all coating tender bites of juicy chicken. It’s sticky, saucy, and insanely delicious.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or just need a quick stir-fry to spice up your dinner game, this recipe delivers. It pairs perfectly with a bed of jasmine rice or noodles and is easily customizable to your spice tolerance. A weeknight win you’ll want on repeat!
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Directions:
- Prep the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in cornstarch, coating evenly. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, red pepper flakes, garlic, black pepper, and salt.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Add chicken in batches and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Pour the sauce into the same skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Combine & Finish: Return chicken to the skillet and toss in the sauce to coat. Simmer for 2–3 more minutes until everything is hot and glazed.
- Serve: Spoon over hot rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Enjoy!
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings