If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances that delightful kick of heat with the natural sweetness of honey, then you’re going to love this Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe. This recipe is one of my absolute favorites because it’s crispy, sticky, flavorful, and straightforward to make. Each bite features tender chicken coated in a luscious sauce that dances between sweet, spicy, and savory in the most satisfying way. Whether you’re cooking for family or craving a cozy dinner, this dish brings big dinner table joy without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe plays an essential role in bringing the dish to life. From the perfectly seasoned chicken to the vibrant sauce components, these ingredients combine to create a harmony of taste, texture, and color that is simply irresistible.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and perfect coating.
- 1/2 cup cornstarch: Helps create the signature crispy coating on the chicken.
- 2 eggs (beaten): Used to bind the coating to the chicken, helping it crisp up beautifully.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Simple but essential seasoning to enhance every bite.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Provides the perfect medium for golden, crispy chicken bites.
- 1/3 cup honey: Adds natural sweetness and sticky texture to the sauce.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce: Brings a savory, umami depth that balances the honey.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds richness and enhances the caramelization process.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar: Brightens the sauce with a subtle tang.
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced): Infuses the sauce with a fragrant and warming punch.
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Delivers just the right amount of heat without overpowering.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry): Thickens the sauce to a perfect consistency.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish: Adds freshness, crunch, and a pop of color.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Coat the Chicken
Start by seasoning your bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper to bring out their natural flavor. Next, dip each piece in cornstarch, making sure it’s fully covered for maximum crispiness. Then, dunk the coated chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring an even layer. This creates that irresistible crispy crust once fried.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat—enough to submerge the chicken pieces halfway for frying. Work in batches so the chicken cooks evenly without steaming. Fry each piece for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until they’re a beautiful golden brown and fully cooked through. Drain the chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil, keeping them crisp and ready for saucing.
Step 3: Make the Sweet and Spicy Sauce
While the chicken is frying, combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes in a saucepan set over medium heat. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, add the cornstarch slurry you prepared earlier. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens into a sticky, glossy glaze—just 1 to 2 minutes will do!
Step 4: Toss the Chicken in Sauce
Transfer the fried chicken into the saucepan and toss it until every piece is thoroughly coated with that luscious sauce. This step is what transforms crispy chicken bites into sweet and spicy magic. Serve immediately to enjoy that wonderful balance of texture and flavor.
How to Serve Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing off with a sprinkle of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds adds an amazing fresh crunch and subtle nuttiness. These garnishes not only make the dish visually stunning but also elevate the flavor profile with bursts of brightness and texture you don’t want to miss.
Side Dishes
This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy white rice, which soaks up all that delectable sauce. For added nutrition and color, a side of stir-fried or steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy is perfect. These sides round out the meal, adding freshness and balance to each bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this chicken over a bed of crispy noodles or alongside fried rice stuffed with veggies and scrambled eggs for a fun twist. If you like wraps, stuffing the chicken and sauce inside warm tortillas or lettuce wraps creates a hand-held flavor explosion that’s perfect for casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store the chicken and sauce together to preserve that delicious coating and moistness. When ready to eat, the flavors meld even more!
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this dish later on, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. This way, you maintain the best texture for each component when thawing and reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat to keep it crispy rather than soggy. Add the sauce last so it doesn’t reduce too much during reheating. Avoid microwaving directly as it can cause the chicken coating to soften, but if pressed for time, microwave in short bursts with a covered lid to retain moisture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs have a bit more fat and flavor, which works wonderfully with this sauce. Just cut them into uniform pieces and adjust cooking time slightly if needed to ensure they’re fully cooked.
How spicy is this dish?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a moderate level of heat that enhances the sweetness without overwhelming it. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less pepper flakes based on your preference.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and ensure your cornstarch is gluten-free certified. These swaps keep the dish safe for gluten sensitivities while maintaining flavor.
Can I bake or air-fry the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, baking at 425°F until the chicken is crispy or air frying for about 15 minutes can create a healthier version with less oil. Just make sure to spray the chicken with a bit of oil to help the cornstarch get crispy.
What should I do if my sauce is too thick or thin?
If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen it. If it’s too thin, mix a little more cornstarch slurry and simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the comforting, bold flavors of this Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe. It’s a dish that never fails to brighten up weeknights or impress guests with minimal effort. Give it a try and watch how the crispy chicken coated in that sticky sauce becomes an instant favorite at your table. Trust me, this recipe will keep you coming back for more with every single bite!
Print
Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Description
Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is a delicious Asian-American dish featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sticky, flavorful honey and soy sauce glaze with a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, it’s perfect served alongside steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Season and coat the chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dip each piece first into the cornstarch, coating thoroughly, then into the beaten eggs to ensure a full coating. This double coating helps create a crispy exterior when fried.
- Fry the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare the sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes over medium heat. Stir the mixture and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the sauce: Add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a sticky consistency.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces into the thickened sauce and toss thoroughly to coat evenly with the sweet and spicy glaze.
- Serve: Plate the coated chicken and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot, ideally alongside steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, bake or air fry the chicken instead of deep-frying to reduce oil and fat content.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Use rice vinegar for a more authentic flavor, but apple cider vinegar works as a good substitute.
