Description
Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is a flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy honey pepper sauce. Perfect as a main course served over rice or noodles, this recipe balances savory soy sauce, aromatic garlic, and a kick of black and red pepper for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying (about 1 inch depth)
For the Sauce
- â…“ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in cornstarch, then dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring an even coating for a crispy exterior when fried.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes each until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat to meld the flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the thickened sauce and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the sticky, flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve hot over rice or noodles. Garnish optionally with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat intensity according to your preference.
- For a healthier or lighter alternative, bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a simple salad to balance the richness.
