Delight your taste buds with “Sweet Heat: Honey Sriracha Chicken,” a dish that masterfully blends the sweetness of honey with the fiery kick of Sriracha sauce. This tantalizing recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors, making it a fantastic choice for anyone looking to spice up their meal routine. Whether you’re cooking a quick dinner or preparing a special dish for friends, this honey Sriracha chicken is sure to impress with its bold flavors and simple preparation.
Why You’ll Love Honey Sriracha Chicken:
- Flavorful Combination: The mix of honey’s sweetness and Sriracha’s spiciness creates a mouthwatering sauce that’s irresistible.
- Versatile Serving Options: Great over rice, noodles, or vegetables, or stuffed in wraps for a delicious meal.
- Quick and Easy: Simple ingredients and about 30 minutes are all you need to whip up this dish.
- Customizable Heat Level: Easily adjust the amount of Sriracha to cater to different spice preferences.
Ingredients Notes For Honey Sriracha Chicken:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully when cooked.
- Sriracha: Provides a robust chili garlic flavor and heat. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
- Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness to the sauce, balancing the sweet and spicy elements.
- Garlic and Ginger: Freshly minced for the best flavor, enhancing the overall complexity of the dish.
- Lime Juice: A splash of lime juice adds a zesty freshness that lifts the flavors.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to coat the chicken nicely.
Recipe Steps:
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until nicely browned and nearly cooked through.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Pour the honey Sriracha sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Stir well to coat all the pieces.
- Thicken the Sauce:
- Dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in a little water and add to the skillet. Stir continuously as the sauce simmers and thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Finish and Serve:
- Once the chicken is coated in the thickened sauce and fully cooked, remove from heat. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions or cilantro for garnish.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside steamed vegetables.
Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken in sauce for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional, for added zest)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Green onions, sliced for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the honey, Sriracha sauce, and soy sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- If using, stir in the lime juice for an extra zing.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is well coated and the sauce is sticky.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the top for garnish.
- Serve the Honey Sriracha Chicken hot, ideally over a bed of steamed rice or with a side of steamed vegetables.