Description
A delicious blend of spicy and sweet flavors, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken – Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps the chicken cook quickly and allows every piece to soak up the delicious sauce later.
- Sear for Flavor – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are golden on the outside. You do not need them fully cooked yet—just nicely browned. That caramelization adds depth to the final dish.
- Add the Aromatics – Lower the heat slightly and add minced garlic, chili flakes, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. The kitchen will immediately fill with that irresistible spicy aroma.
- Build the Sauce – In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, lemon juice, and black pepper. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Stir well so every piece is coated. As the sauce simmers, it begins to thicken and turn glossy. This is when Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo really starts to come alive.
- Thicken the Sauce – Mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then stir it into the skillet. Within a minute or two the sauce will become thick and sticky, clinging beautifully to the chicken.
- Finish and Garnish – Let everything cook for another 2–3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and coated in the sauce. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles to soak up that delicious sauce.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles to absorb the sauce.
- For extra spice, add more cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg