Crispy Honey Pepper Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Crunch

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this honey pepper chicken recipe hits all the right notes of flavor and excitement.

The golden, crispy honey pepper chicken delivers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy that makes taste buds dance with joy.

Tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy, vibrant sauce create an irresistible main course that looks as good as it tastes.

Every bite promises a delightful crunch followed by a warm, pepper-infused sweetness that transforms an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.

The simple ingredients come together quickly, making this dish a go-to for busy home cooks seeking maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Comfort meets gourmet in this crowd-pleasing recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor a meal that turns an average evening into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Ingredients Guide

• Chicken: Select fresh, boneless pieces with consistent size for even cooking and crispy texture.
• Eggs: Helps create a golden, crispy coating that locks in chicken's moisture and flavor.

• Cornstarch, Flour: Provides extra crunch and helps create a delicate, light exterior that traps sauce perfectly.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures high-heat frying with neutral flavor that won't overpower chicken's taste.

• Honey, Soy Sauce: Delivers perfect sweet-savory balance with deep, rich undertones.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy notes that cut through richness.
• Ketchup: Provides subtle sweetness and helps bind sauce ingredients.
• Hot Sauce, Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces spicy kick and vibrant heat.
• Garlic: Brings robust, aromatic depth to the sauce.
• Black Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning with warm, slightly sharp flavor.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce to glossy, clingy consistency.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh garnish that adds color, texture, and nutty finish.

Cooking Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Made

• Spice Up the Chicken

Grab your chicken pieces and give them a flavor boost with salt and pepper. Dunk each piece in cornstarch, then egg, and finally flour for a crispy coating that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat up some vegetable oil in a large skillet until it’s sizzling. Carefully drop in the chicken and fry until each piece turns a gorgeous golden brown. This should take about 4-5 minutes per batch. Rescue the crispy pieces and let them rest on paper towels to drain excess oil.

• Whip Up the Magical Sauce

In a separate pan, create a flavor explosion by mixing honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, garlic, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer and get to know each other over medium heat.

• Thicken the Flavor Bomb

Add a quick cornstarch mixture to give the sauce some body. Keep stirring and cooking for a couple of minutes until it transforms into a glossy, thick sauce that clings to every piece of chicken.

• Bring It All Together

Toss the crispy chicken into the sauce, making sure each piece gets a generous coating of the sweet and spicy goodness. It’s like a flavor party in your pan!

• Final Touch and Serve

Sprinkle some chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top for a pop of color and extra crunch. Your sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken is ready to steal the show!

Customize Your Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Perfect Frying Technique: Keep oil temperature consistent around 350°F for crispy, golden chicken without burning or undercooking.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly and maintain similar texture.
• Healthier Baking Option: Instead of deep-frying, arrange chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through for even crispiness.
• Protein Alternatives: Swap chicken with tofu, cauliflower, or shrimp for diverse dietary preferences while maintaining the same delicious sweet and spicy flavor profile.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes quantity to personalize heat intensity – reduce for mild version or increase for extra fiery experience.

How to Present Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

• Party Platter Paradise: Create a stunning chicken appetizer spread by arranging crispy pieces on a large wooden board with small dipping bowls of extra sauce.
• Comfort Meal Companion: Serve over fluffy white rice or cauliflower rice to catch all the delicious sweet and spicy sauce, making every bite balanced and satisfying.
• Green Freshness Boost: Scatter fresh chopped cilantro or parsley on top for a bright color pop and added herbal freshness that complements the chicken's rich flavors.
• Asian-Inspired Side Kick: Pair with quick pickled cucumber slices or steamed edamame to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, spicy chicken.

Keeping Leftover Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Tasty

• Meal Time Smart Planning: Prep chicken coating ingredients separately in small bowls for quick assembly, reducing kitchen chaos.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Cook extra chicken pieces and sauce to create delicious next-day lunch bowls or quick meal additions.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store crispy chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers to maintain optimal texture, preventing soggy coating.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual chicken portions with sauce in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 3 weeks for convenient future meals.

Must-Have Tools for Honey Pepper Chicken Success

• Large skillet or deep pan: Essential for frying chicken to golden crispy perfection.
• Saucepan: Perfect for creating the vibrant sweet and spicy sauce.
• Paper towels: Crucial for draining excess oil from fried chicken.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps maintain precise ingredient proportions.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for coating chicken and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Used for chopping green onions and preparing garnish.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise ingredient preparation.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Tongs: Convenient for handling and turning chicken while frying.

Crispy Honey Pepper Chicken

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Honey pepper chicken blends Korean and American flavor profiles for a mouthwatering meal. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with a perfect balance of sweet heat will satisfy diners seeking bold, memorable cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• vegetable oil, for frying
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsps ketchup
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsps water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• green onions, chopped
• sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Create a flavor foundation by thoroughly coating chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, cornstarch, egg wash, and flour, ensuring each piece is evenly and generously covered.
2. Chicken Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet until shimmering, then carefully fry chicken in batches, achieving a crispy, golden-brown exterior with a perfectly cooked interior.
3. Sauce Creation: Combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, garlic, and ground black pepper in a saucepan, whisking to integrate complex flavor layers.
4. Sauce Thickening: Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a glossy, clingy consistency that will beautifully adhere to the chicken.
5. Glazing Technique: Gently tumble the crisp chicken pieces in the bubbling sauce, ensuring each morsel is comprehensively coated with the sweet and spicy glaze.
6. Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, creating a visually appealing and aromatic final presentation that elevates the dish’s sensory experience.

Notes

• Cornstarch Coating Technique: Ensure even and light coating of cornstarch for maximum crispiness, gently pat chicken to remove excess for a perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Oil Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat around 350-375°F to achieve crispy chicken without burning, use a thermometer for precision and consistent cooking.
• Sauce Balance Mastery: Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to personal heat tolerance, taste and modify before coating chicken to create ideal sweet-spicy harmony.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free alternatives like rice flour or almond flour, use tamari instead of soy sauce for celiac-friendly version without compromising crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg