Description
Sizzling sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken delivers a flavor explosion that dances across taste buds. Succulent chicken pieces glazed with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Spices and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels, ensuring the surface is completely moisture-free for optimal seasoning adherence.
- Mince garlic finely and set aside, creating a flavor base for the sauce that will infuse the chicken with aromatic intensity.
- Whisk together honey, soy sauce, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and complex sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and spicy elements.
- Season chicken with black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt, massaging the spices thoroughly into the meat to enhance flavor penetration.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the pan to reach an even temperature for perfect searing.
- Place chicken in the hot skillet, cooking for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and developing a crispy exterior.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing briefly to release its aromatic qualities without burning.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, reducing heat to medium-low and allowing the liquid to simmer and thicken.
- Sprinkle cornstarch into the sauce, stirring continuously to create a glossy, rich coating that clings to the chicken.
- Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce reaches a sticky, caramelized consistency.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly cool and set.
- Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce from the skillet over the chicken for maximum flavor impact.
Notes
- Pat chicken extremely dry to help create a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Massage spices deeply into meat for maximum flavor absorption and more intense taste profile.
- Use fresh garlic for brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced or jarred alternatives.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to control spice level, making the dish adaptable for different heat tolerances.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg