Sweet Spicy Chicken

Featured in Dinner Winners Every Time.

This dish pairs juicy chicken with a perfectly balanced honey and Sriracha sauce. Start by searing the chicken, then coat it in a mix of honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, and garlic. Thicken the mixture with cornstarch for a nice glossy look. Top with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish. Ready in roughly 30 minutes, you can tweak the spice levels to your liking.
A woman holding a vegetable in a kitchen.
Updated on Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:26:56 GMT
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Pin it
Sweet and Spicy Chicken | cookwithtaste.com

This chicken dish brings together a wonderful mix of natural honey sweetness and the hot punch of Sriracha. The gooey coating sticks wonderfully to the juicy chicken bits, making an unbeatable combo that feels both homey and bold.

We started making this at home when we got tired of paying for takeout. Our homemade version lets us tweak how spicy we want it, and honestly, our sauce always comes out tastier than what we'd get delivered.

Key Components:

  • Chicken: Go with thighs if you can - they stay juicier and hold flavor better
  • Honey: Grab the raw, unfiltered stuff for better browning
  • Sriracha: A new bottle will give you the best kick
  • Soy Sauce: The light version works best to avoid too much salt
  • Rice Vinegar: This gives the perfect zip - try not to swap it out
  • Fresh Garlic: You can't skip this for real Asian flavor

How To Make It:

Getting Chicken Ready:
Grab some paper towels and dry those chicken pieces completely. Throw on plenty of salt and pepper. Let them sit out for 10 minutes so they'll cook evenly.
Mixing Your Sauce:
Grab a bowl and stir together your honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chopped garlic until it's all mixed up. Give it a taste and add more heat if you want.
First Cooking Stage:
Get some veggie oil hot in a big pan over medium-high until it starts to shimmer. Add your chicken carefully, keeping space between pieces. Let them cook about 5-6 minutes until they look golden.
Adding The Glaze:
Turn the chicken over and lower the heat to medium. Pour your sauce mix all over. Watch it bubble up and get thicker while you spoon it over the chicken now and then.
Finishing Up:
Keep cooking while the sauce gets sticky and coats everything, around 8-10 minutes more. Your chicken should hit 165°F inside when it's done.
Easy Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe Pin it
Easy Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe | cookwithtaste.com

I grew up eating tons of Asian food, and I've found the secret to amazing honey Sriracha chicken is all about how thick the sauce gets. My grandma always told me "you can't rush a good glaze."

Switch It Up:

You can play around with the basic sauce recipe. Throw in some fresh ginger, a bit of orange peel, or a splash of sesame oil for totally different flavors.

What Goes With It:

Plain jasmine rice soaks up all that yummy sauce, and a simple cucumber side dish gives a cool break from the heat.

Keeping Leftovers:

This stays good in sealed containers for up to 3 days. The funny thing is, the sauce often tastes even better the next day.

Complete Your Meal:

Try adding some quick stir-fried veggies or a cool noodle dish on the side to make it a full dinner.

Yummy Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe Pin it
Yummy Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe | cookwithtaste.com

I've made this so many times for family dinners now, and I think we've finally got the sweet-hot balance just right. That sticky coating turns plain chicken into something everyone grabs seconds of - even the fussy eaters at our table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is this very spicy?
The heat level is up to you—stick with 2 tablespoons of Sriracha for mild, 3 for a kick, or more for serious spice.
→ Can I use breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that chicken breasts may need a little less cooking time.
→ What sides go well with this?
Pair with noodles, rice, or some steamed veggies for a full plate.
→ How long will this last?
Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days.
→ Can I prep the sauce in advance?
Definitely—store the sauce in your fridge for up to two days before cooking.

Sweet Spicy Chicken

Juicy chicken coated in a honey Sriracha glaze with the perfect mix of sweet and spicy, done in half an hour.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian Blend

Yield: 4 Servings (4 portions)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main

01 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

→ Sauce

02 1 teaspoon sesame oil
03 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
04 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
05 2-3 tablespoons hot Sriracha
06 1 tablespoon cornstarch blended with 2 tablespoons water
07 1/4 cup honey
08 1 tablespoon cooking oil
09 2 tablespoons soy sauce

→ Garnish

10 Chopped green onions
11 Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

Dry the chicken with paper towels, then lightly season it with some salt and pepper.

Step 02

Combine honey, soy sauce, hot sauce, vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl and mix well.

Step 03

In a pan with vegetable oil, cook chicken on both sides for 4-5 minutes each, until golden and the inside temperature hits 165°F.

Step 04

Pour sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Whisk in cornstarch mixture if you want it thicker. Toss chicken in sauce until coated.

Step 05

Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions on top.

Notes

  1. Use less or more Sriracha depending on how spicy you like it.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pan
  • Medium-sized bowl
  • Food thermometer
  • Measuring tools

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy
  • Wheat (from soy sauce)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 42 g