Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe: Sweet-Spicy Magic

Crispy, golden chicken gets a bold kick from this incredible honey sriracha recipe that promises pure flavor excitement.

Sweet meets spicy in a delightful dance of culinary magic.

Our kitchen experiment combines classic comfort with unexpected zest.

Every bite promises a thrilling sensation that wakes up your taste buds.

Balanced heat and sugary notes create an irresistible combination your friends will adore.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-worthy dish without complicated techniques.

Honey Sriracha Chicken Adds Bold Sweet Heat You’ll Remember

Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up this honey sriracha chicken in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families needing a delicious meal fast.

Flavor Explosion: Combines sweet honey, spicy sriracha, and savory garlic for a mouthwatering taste that’ll excite every palate without complicated ingredients.

Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Serve over rice, with vegetables, or in tacos – this recipe adapts easily to different meal styles and preferences, making it a go-to for picky eaters and adventurous food lovers alike.

Simple Cooking Technique: Requires just one skillet and basic cooking skills, making it accessible for home cooks of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned chefs.

Honey Sriracha Chicken Cooking Parts

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Thighs: Tender, juicy meat that absorbs flavors well, boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Honey, Sriracha Sauce: Sweet and spicy base creating a bold, tangy glaze with balanced heat levels.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth of umami flavor and helps create a rich, savory coating.
Flavor Enhancers and Cooking Ingredients:
  • Garlic: Provides aromatic, intense flavor that complements the sweet and spicy sauce.
  • Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even cooking with a light, neutral taste.
  • Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent to create a more glossy, clingy sauce texture.
Garnish:
  • Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh, crunchy toppings that add visual appeal and subtle nutty, fresh notes to the finished dish.

Honey Sriracha Chicken Cooking Method

Step 1: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Place chicken thighs into the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cook each side until a beautiful golden brown develops and the chicken is completely cooked through, roughly 6-7 minutes per side.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 2: Create Spicy Sweet Sauce

In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken, combine:
  • Honey
  • Sriracha
  • Soy sauce
  • Minced garlic

Stir these ingredients together and let them simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken and become glossy.

Step 3: Boost Sauce Consistency

If the sauce seems too thin, mix cornstarch with water to create a quick slurry.

Pour this into the sauce and stir, which will help the sauce become more luxurious and clingy.

Step 4: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the cooked chicken back into the skillet.

Gently toss and coat each piece in the spicy honey sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Finish with Flair

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken.

Serve hot and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

Tips To Get That Perfect Sweet And Spicy Honey Sriracha Glaze

  • Modify sriracha amount to control heat intensity, using less for mild flavor or more for extra kick.
  • Use meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing undercooking while maintaining juiciness.
  • Cornstarch slurry helps create glossy, clingy sauce that beautifully coats chicken without becoming too runny.
  • Prepare chicken ahead and store separately from sauce, reheating gently to maintain texture and prevent drying out.
  • Replace chicken thighs with tofu or skinless chicken breasts for different protein preferences and lower-fat alternatives.

Honey Sriracha Chicken: Save with Care

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover completely to prevent drying out and preserve flavor.
  • Warm chicken on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stopping midway to stir and ensure even heating. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle additional sauce to keep meat juicy and prevent toughness.
  • Wrap chicken tightly in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Honey Sriracha Chicken Side Picks

  • Spice Up with Crisp Riesling: A light, slightly sweet Riesling perfectly balances the honey sriracha's heat, creating a refreshing contrast that highlights the chicken's bold flavors.
  • Pair with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice absorbs the rich, spicy-sweet sauce, providing a neutral canvas that complements the chicken's intense flavor profile while adding a delightful texture to each bite.
  • Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: A quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil offers a crisp, cooling counterpoint to the sriracha's fiery kick, bringing balance and freshness to the plate.
  • Serve Alongside Pickled Vegetables: Tangy pickled vegetables like daikon radish or quick-pickled carrots cut through the sauce's richness, adding a zesty brightness that enhances the overall dining experience.

Honey Sriracha Chicken with Different Sauces

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free. Use cornstarch carefully or substitute with arrowroot powder for thickening.
  • Spicy Lovers' Edition: Double the sriracha amount or add red pepper flakes for an extra heat kick. Consider mixing in fresh jalapeños for additional spiciness.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap honey with sugar-free maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener. Use chicken breasts instead of thighs and reduce sauce quantity to minimize carbohydrates.
  • Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh. Press tofu thoroughly, cut into cubes, and pan-fry until crispy before coating with the spicy honey sauce.

FAQs

  • What makes Sriracha such a great sauce for chicken?

Sriracha adds a perfect balance of heat and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of honey, creating a dynamic and exciting sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a delicious, restaurant-quality dish.

  • Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts work perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure they are cooked to the correct internal temperature of 165°F and adjust cooking time since breasts are typically thinner than thighs.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level depends on the amount of sriracha you use. For a milder version, reduce the sriracha; for more heat, add extra. Most people find this recipe has a moderate, pleasant spice level that isn’t overwhelming.

  • Do I need any special cooking skills to make this dish?

No, this recipe is beginner-friendly. It requires basic skillet cooking techniques and simple ingredient mixing. Even novice cooks can create a delicious meal with these straightforward steps.

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Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe


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4.9 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy-sweet honey sriracha chicken brings explosive flavor to your dinner table. Juicy chicken coated in a glossy, fiery sauce promises a quick and delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup (59 ml) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sriracha sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce

Complementary Ingredients:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cornstarch (optional for thickening)

Garnish:

  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Warm a skillet over medium flame and drizzle with olive oil, creating a light cooking surface.
  2. Carefully place seasoned chicken thighs into the hot pan, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown exterior, ensuring complete cooking with an internal temperature indicating doneness.
  3. Transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a holding plate, maintaining its warmth and juiciness.
  4. Without cleaning the skillet, pour in a vibrant mixture of honey, sriracha, soy sauce, and finely chopped garlic, creating an aromatic and glossy sauce.
  5. Gently simmer the sauce, stirring consistently to encourage thickening and develop deep flavor layers.
  6. If the sauce requires additional body, quickly whisk cornstarch with a small amount of water, then incorporate into the simmering liquid to achieve desired consistency.
  7. Carefully return the cooked chicken to the skillet, delicately coating each piece with the spicy-sweet glaze, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
  8. Once evenly glazed, plate the chicken and generously sprinkle with fresh green onion slices and toasted sesame seeds for a final burst of texture and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and maximize sauce absorption.
  • Adjust sriracha quantity based on personal heat preference, starting with less and gradually adding more.
  • Create a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and confirming cornstarch is gluten-free.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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