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Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 23 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Description

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a delicious blend of honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and spices. Cooked in a skillet to perfection, this dish balances the sweetness of honey with the heat from crushed red pepper flakes, making it an ideal meal for those who love a little kick. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, it’s perfect served over rice or noodles for a satisfying dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

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

  • Chopped green onions (optional)
  • Sesame seeds (optional)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
  2. Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt until well combined.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss them to coat evenly. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for a deeper flavor infusion.
  4. Preheat the Pan: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil if necessary to prevent sticking.
  5. Cook the Chicken: Once the skillet is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces (discard the used marinade) and cook them for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and cooked thoroughly.
  6. Glaze the Chicken: If you reserved some marinade before cooking, pour it into the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the glaze to thicken and coat the chicken beautifully.
  7. Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (75°C), ensuring it’s safe to eat.
  8. Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the chicken with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.
  9. Serve Immediately: Serve the sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken hot with steamed rice, noodles, or your choice of vegetables for a complete and delicious meal.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken longer enhances the flavor and tenderness.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
  • Reserving a portion of the marinade before adding raw chicken is important if you want to glaze the chicken later without contamination.
  • Use a meat thermometer to accurately check doneness.
  • Serve with rice or noodles to absorb the delicious glaze.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.