Zesty Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe: Sweet Heat Magic!

Tender chicken pieces coated in a luscious honey pepper sauce strike the perfect balance between sweet and spicy.

The crispy honey pepper chicken delivers a mouthwatering explosion of flavors that dance across your palate.

Golden-brown edges crackle with a delicate crunch, promising an irresistible texture in every bite.

Succulent chicken becomes the star of this quick and easy dish that brings restaurant-quality magic to your kitchen.

Layers of honey’s natural sweetness blend seamlessly with the subtle heat of pepper, creating a harmonious taste sensation.

Each forkful offers a delightful combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Tips To Spice Up Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Crispy Coating Pro Tip: Ensure chicken pieces are completely dry before coating to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading.
• Sauce Heat Control: Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to customize spice levels – add more for extra kick or reduce for milder palates.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chicken and sauce separately, storing them in the refrigerator, then quickly reheat and combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to create a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
• Protein Swap Options: Experiment with different proteins like tofu, shrimp, or pork for varied meal experiences while maintaining the delicious sweet and spicy flavor profile.

Tasty Ways To Serve Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Flavor Explosion Plating: Spread crispy chicken over steamed white rice, drizzling extra sauce on top to create a mouthwatering glaze that soaks into each grain.
• Spicy Sidekick Companions: Pair with quick pickled cucumber slices or a fresh coleslaw to balance the chicken's rich, sweet-hot flavors and provide a cool, crunchy contrast.
• Quick Dinner Party Hack: Serve in a large communal platter with chopsticks, allowing guests to dive into the golden, saucy chicken pieces and create their own perfect bites.
• Leftover Lunch Transform: Slice cold chicken and stuff into soft flour tortillas with a dash of extra sauce for an incredible next-day wrap that rivals the original meal.

How To Store Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken The Smart Way

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Reheating Magic: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of water to maintain crispiness and prevent drying out.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Seal cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or bags, storing up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Pro Tip: Cook extra chicken and sauce separately to maintain crispy texture. Combine just before serving to prevent soggy coating, making weeknight dinners quick and delicious.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 5

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

• Chicken Pieces: Select tender, fresh cuts that will crisp beautifully and absorb the sauce's flavors.
• Salt: Enhances the chicken's natural taste and helps season the meat deeply.
• Black Pepper: Adds a warm, subtle heat and aromatic depth to the seasoning.
• Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy exterior that helps the coating adhere perfectly.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent to help the flour and cornstarch stick to the chicken.
• Flour: Provides a golden, crunchy outer layer for textural contrast.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures even, high-temperature frying for a crisp, golden chicken exterior.

• Honey: Delivers a natural sweetness and glossy finish to the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth and a rich, savory undertone.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the sauce's sweetness.
• Ketchup: Contributes a subtle tomato base and additional sweetness.
• Hot Sauce: Introduces a spicy kick and complex heat.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides an extra layer of fiery warmth.
• Garlic: Infuses the sauce with a bold, aromatic punch.
• Cornstarch (for slurry): Thickens the sauce to a perfect clingy consistency.
• Water: Helps create the cornstarch slurry for sauce thickening.
• Green Onions: Offers fresh, sharp garnish with a pop of color.
• Sesame Seeds

Helpful Tools For Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Large skillet or deep pan: Essential for perfectly frying chicken with even, golden-brown crispiness.
• Saucepan: Crucial for creating the mouthwatering sweet and spicy sauce.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess oil from fried chicken, keeping it crisp.
• Tongs: Perfect for safely handling and turning chicken while frying.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities for balanced flavor.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise ingredient preparation.
• Mixing bowl: Great for beating eggs and coating chicken pieces.

How To Make Sweet And Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Prepare Flavor Base

Massage chicken with salt and pepper. Dust each piece with cornstarch, dunk in beaten eggs, then roll through flour for a crispy exterior.

• Create Golden Crunch

Heat oil in a skillet until shimmering. Fry chicken pieces in batches, turning until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust, roughly 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.

• Craft Zesty Glaze

Combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and black pepper in a saucepan. Simmer and let flavors meld together.

• Transform Sauce

Whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry. Pour into simmering sauce and stir until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thick coating.

• Marry Chicken with Sauce

Gently toss fried chicken pieces in the vibrant, spicy-sweet glaze, ensuring each morsel gets completely coated.

• Finish with Flair

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken for a burst of color and extra crunch. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Crispy Honey Pepper Chicken

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Honey pepper chicken blends sweet Canadian maple syrup with fiery jalapeño peppers for a mouthwatering meal. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness will satisfy spice enthusiasts who crave bold flavors.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ½ cup (60 g) cornstarch
• ½ cup (60 g) flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• vegetable oil, for frying
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• ⅓ cup (113 g) honey
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 2 tbsps ketchup
• 2 tbsps water
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp black pepper
• chopped green onions
• sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Coating Preparation: Create a robust three-stage coating system for chicken pieces by first dredging in cornstarch, then dipping into whisked eggs, and finally rolling in flour to guarantee a supremely crispy exterior.
2. Frying Process: Elevate vegetable oil in a large skillet to medium-high heat and meticulously fry chicken in compact batches, ensuring each piece achieves a spectacular golden-brown crust with optimal crispness within 4-5 minutes. Transfer fried pieces onto paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
3. Sauce Composition: Harmonize honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and ground black pepper in a saucepan. Gently simmer the mixture, allowing flavors to intertwine and intensify.
4. Sauce Refinement: Whisk water and cornstarch into a silky slurry, then gradually integrate into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce transforms into a glossy, clingy consistency.
5. Final Assembly: Immerse crispy chicken pieces into the vibrant sauce, meticulously tossing to ensure comprehensive and uniform glaze coverage. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, then serve immediately to preserve the chicken’s tantalizing crunch and warmth.

Notes

• Optimize Coating Technique: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help cornstarch and flour adhere perfectly, creating an extra crispy exterior.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350-375°F oil heat to prevent soggy or burned chicken, using a thermometer for precision.
• Balance Sauce Spiciness: Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, tasting and modifying gradually.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly and add slowly to avoid clumping, ensuring a smooth, glossy sauce consistency.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg