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Easy Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken for Weeknight Dinners

honey pepper chicken - Tasty
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Create this easy honey pepper chicken recipe featuring a glossy, sticky glaze that perfectly balances sweet honey and bold cracked pepper. This dish is simple enough for a weeknight meal but flavorful enough to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha or red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Optional garnish: Sesame seeds and sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the glaze: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha (or red pepper flakes) directly in the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Create the slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Pour this slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1 minute.
  6. Combine: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat every piece evenly in the sticky honey pepper glaze. Cook for 1 minute to heat through.
  7. Serve immediately. Garnish your flavorful chicken dinner with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
  • Serve this sticky honey glaze chicken over steamed white rice or alongside creamy macaroni cheese for a complete meal.
  • If you prefer a milder heat, reduce the sriracha or use only a pinch of black pepper.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/honey-pepper-chicken-recipe/