Heavenly Sweet & Spicy Chicken Recipe That Dazzles Taste Buds

Weeknight dinners demand something extraordinary, and this tantalizing sweet and spicy chicken recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

Tender chicken pieces dance with a vibrant sauce that balances heat and sweetness perfectly.

Bold flavors mingle in every single bite, creating an irresistible harmony of taste.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting this mouthwatering meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The combination of spices and subtle sweetness makes this dish stand out from ordinary chicken recipes.

Fast to prepare and packed with robust flavors, you’ll find this meal becomes an instant family favorite.

Serve it over fluffy rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying dinner that promises to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Chicken: Lean protein base that becomes crispy and flavorful when coated and seared, look for fresh boneless pieces with consistent texture.
• Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy exterior that helps sauce adhere perfectly, choose finely milled variety for smooth coating.
• Salt: Enhances natural chicken flavor, use sea salt or kosher salt for better taste distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth, freshly ground provides more intense flavor profile.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps achieve golden sear with high smoke point, select neutral-flavored oil like canola or grapeseed.

• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and glossy finish, raw honey offers more complex flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Provides umami depth and saltiness, low-sodium version recommended for better control.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness, look for clear, mild Asian-style variety.
• Sriracha: Delivers spicy kick, adjust quantity based on heat preference.
• Ketchup: Contributes tomato sweetness and thickness, use classic style for balanced flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Deepens caramelized sweetness, opt for dark brown sugar for richer taste.
• Garlic: Infuses aromatic intensity, fresh cloves provide more robust flavor than pre-minced.
• Ginger: Adds zesty warmth, fresh grated offers more vibrant taste than powdered.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Helps thicken sauce smoothly, mix with cold water to prevent lumps.

Tools Needed For Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the sauce.
• Mixing bowls: Perfect for coating chicken and preparing sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping green onions and preparing garlic/ginger.
• Sharp knife: For precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate sauce ingredient proportions.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and coating chicken in sauce.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and turning chicken during cooking.

How You Make Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

• Prepare Chicken Coating

Grab your chicken and give it a tasty shake with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Make sure every piece gets a delicious, even layer.

• Sizzle and Brown Chicken

Fire up a skillet with some oil and let the chicken dance around until it turns a gorgeous golden color. Cook until it’s perfectly done, about 5-7 minutes. Pull the chicken out and set it aside.

• Craft Flavor-Packed Sauce

Whip up a magical sauce by mixing honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, ketchup, brown sugar, crushed garlic, and ginger. Let these ingredients become best friends in a bowl.

• Simmer and Thicken Sauce

Pour the sauce into the hot skillet and watch it bubble. Add a quick cornstarch mixture to make the sauce beautifully thick and glossy. Let it simmer and develop deep flavors.

• Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Slide the chicken back into the skillet and coat it lovingly with the sweet and spicy sauce. Let everything mingle and warm up for a couple minutes.

• Finish and Plate

Sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top. Serve over fluffy rice or alongside your favorite veggies for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe Tips And Changes

• Saucy Secret Weapon: Add an extra splash of sriracha for more heat or reduce it to make the dish milder, tailoring the spice level perfectly to your taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Marinate chicken in the sauce mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify flavor and tenderize the meat for an even more delicious result.
• Dietary Dance: Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version, ensuring plant-based eaters can enjoy this delectable dish without missing out.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Leftover Love: Store remaining chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently in a skillet to maintain the sauce's glossy texture and prevent drying out.

Serving Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe Made Easy

• Party Plate Pairing: Serve alongside fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sweet and spicy sauce, creating a restaurant-quality experience at home.
• Veggie Crunch Companion: Add a side of crisp stir-fried broccoli or crunchy snap peas to balance the rich chicken and provide a fresh, nutritious contrast.
• Texture Adventure Bowl: Create a complete meal by layering the chicken over warm brown rice, topped with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
• Noodle Twist Option: Transform the dish into a quick stir-fry by tossing the saucy chicken with hot lo mein or rice noodles for a quick and satisfying one-pan meal.

Storing Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe Made Simple

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated meals stay delicious for 3-4 days when sealed tightly.
• Quick Reheat Hack: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent dryness. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce's original flavor profile.
• Freezer Friendly Method: Separate chicken and sauce before freezing to prevent texture breakdown. Pack in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Frozen dishes remain tasty for up to 2 months.
• Meal Prep Genius: Prepare larger chicken batches during weekends. Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches or quick dinner solutions. Label containers with preparation date to track freshness.

Tantalizing Sweet And Spicy Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering sweet and spicy chicken promises a flavor explosion from Mexican culinary traditions. Rich marinades and bold spices create an unforgettable dining experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 500 g (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 tbsps ketchup
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice level)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening)

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Instructions

1. Coating Preparation: Envelop chicken pieces in a seasoned cornstarch mixture, ensuring complete and uniform coverage with salt and black pepper for a crisp protective layer.
2. Searing Process: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully introduce coated chicken, transforming each piece into a golden-brown masterpiece through strategic rotation, cooking until perfectly crisp and fully done.
3. Sauce Creation: Combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients into a harmonious, flavor-packed liquid that will elevate the dish’s complexity.
4. Sauce Development: Transfer sauce to the same skillet, introducing a cornstarch slurry to build viscosity. Simmer and reduce, stirring continuously to develop a rich, glossy consistency that clings perfectly to the chicken.
5. Final Integration: Reunite crispy chicken with the reduced sauce, gently tumbling to ensure complete flavor absorption. Allow the ingredients to meld, creating a tantalizing fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory notes.
6. Garnish and Presentation: Adorn the dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions, adding visual intrigue and a burst of complementary flavors. Serve alongside steamed rice, noodles, or a vibrant vegetable medley to complete the culinary experience.

Notes

• Coat Chicken Carefully: Ensure even, light cornstarch coating by patting chicken dry before dredging to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
• Control Heat Precisely: Maintain medium-high temperature to create golden-brown exterior without burning, using a heavy-bottomed skillet for consistent heat distribution.
• Balance Sauce Complexity: Adjust spice levels by modifying sriracha quantity – less for mild, more for intense heat; taste and adjust seasoning before final coating.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly and add gradually to avoid lumps, creating smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to chicken pieces.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 570 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg