Description
Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy honey-soy sauce with a kick of crushed red pepper flakes. Pan-seared to perfection and glazed with the marinade for a sticky, delicious finish, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner served over rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Whisk together thoroughly until well blended.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or for deeper flavor, refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- Preheat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil if necessary to prevent sticking.
- Cook the chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the hot skillet, discarding any marinade that was not reserved. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are browned and cooked through.
- Glaze the chicken: If you set aside some marinade before cooking, pour it into the skillet now. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken in a sticky glaze.
- Check doneness: Make sure the chicken is fully cooked by checking that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (75°C).
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the top if desired for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve immediately: Serve your sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken hot, ideally over steamed rice, noodles, or with your choice of vegetables for a delicious and balanced meal.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for longer (up to 2 hours) for more intense flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- If you do not have apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or rice vinegar can be substituted.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.