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Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1-2 fresh chilies jalapeño or serrano, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
For Garnish
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Thinly sliced green onions

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Mince garlic and ginger, and thinly slice the fresh chilies.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
  2. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer without crowding; cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Flip chicken pieces and cook for another 3-4 minutes until browned and almost cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, ginger, and sliced chilies to the same skillet; sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Pour in soy sauce, honey, and crushed red pepper flakes; stir and let the sauce bubble and thicken slightly.
Combining and Finishing
  1. Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat each piece in the sauce.
  2. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to let the flavors meld and the chicken finish cooking, adding a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
  3. Turn off heat and stir in rice vinegar or lime juice for brightness.
  4. Optional: add toasted sesame oil for extra depth.
  5. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.