Are you ready to transform your weeknight dinners with a dish that’s bursting with flavor and incredibly easy to make? Look no further than this sensational Honey Sriracha Chicken! Imagine tender, crispy pieces of chicken, coated in a light golden crust, generously smothered in an irresistibly sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce infused with aromatic garlic. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary experience that promises to outshine your favorite takeout, all whipped up in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a flavor explosion that perfectly balances sweet honey with the fiery kick of Sriracha, creating a harmonious blend that will have your taste buds singing. It’s the ultimate solution for busy evenings when you crave something extraordinary without spending hours in the kitchen. Say goodbye to soggy takeout and hello to homemade perfection!
For those who love exploring Asian-inspired flavors, this Honey Sriracha Chicken is just the beginning. If you’re craving more delicious takeout-style favorites that are easy to recreate at home, be sure to check out our other popular recipes: Easy Honey Garlic Tofu (Sweet and Spicy), Easy Black Pepper Chicken Recipe, and Kung Pao Shrimp.
This Honey Sriracha Chicken recipe is designed to be incredibly simple and quick, making it an instant favorite for your weekly dinner rotation. It’s the kind of dish that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, ensuring that even on your busiest nights, a delicious, restaurant-quality meal is always within reach.
The magic starts with the chicken. We use succulent chicken breast pieces, lightly coated in cornstarch. This crucial step creates a delicate, crispy exterior when pan-fried, locking in the juiciness of the chicken. Once perfectly golden and crisp, these tender morsels are bathed in our signature, homemade honey Sriracha sauce. This glossy, rich sauce, brimming with garlic, clings to every piece, infusing the chicken with unparalleled depth and an addictive sweet-spicy tang.
The heart and soul of this dish truly lie in its phenomenal sauce. What makes it even better? It’s a remarkably easy 5-ingredient concoction that can be prepared in minutes and stored for months in an airtight container in your refrigerator. We highly recommend making a large batch because its versatility is endless! Beyond coating chicken, this sauce is fantastic over crispy chicken wings, tender meatballs, or even plant-based options like tofu. It also shines as an incredible dipping sauce for chicken tenders, french fries, spring rolls, or practically anything you want to elevate with a burst of flavor. Its sweet, savory, and spicy notes make it a pantry staple once you try it.
When it comes to serving, your sticky, sweet, and spicy Honey Sriracha Chicken is incredibly adaptable. It pairs beautifully with a bed of fluffy white rice, satisfying ramen noodles, as a flavorful filling for soft tacos, or nestled in crisp lettuce wraps for a lighter option. For an extra layer of texture and a nutty crunch, we love to sprinkle some crushed toasted peanuts on top. No matter how you choose to enjoy this delectable chicken, we guarantee it will be a hit every single time!
Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try
This Honey Sriracha Chicken isn’t just another recipe; it’s a revelation for your home cooking. Here’s why it stands out as a true kitchen hero:
- Lightning Fast & Effortless: With just one pan and approximately 20 minutes from start to finish, this dish is designed for maximum efficiency. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when time is short but you still want a gourmet meal. The simplicity of the steps ensures anyone, regardless of cooking experience, can achieve fantastic results.
- Addictively Delicious Sauce: The star of the show is undeniably the sauce. It’s a masterful blend of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, perfectly balanced with a delightful kick of heat. This complex flavor profile is incredibly addictive, making every bite a memorable experience. You’ll find yourself craving this unique taste again and again.
- Healthier Pan-Frying, No Deep Frying Needed: Forget the mess and excessive calories of deep frying. Our method involves tossing the chicken breast pieces in cornstarch and then pan-frying them in a nonstick skillet with minimal oil. This technique ensures the chicken develops a wonderfully crispy, golden-brown crust while remaining incredibly juicy and tender on the inside, offering a healthier yet equally satisfying alternative.
- Infinitely Customizable: This recipe offers incredible flexibility to suit your preferences and dietary needs. While chicken breast is excellent, you can easily swap it for juicy skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor. Looking for an alternative protein? Shrimp, firm tofu, or even pork tenderloin can be substituted with fantastic results, requiring only minor adjustments to cooking times. Furthermore, the sauce’s sweetness and spiciness are entirely in your hands, allowing you to tailor the heat level to your family’s liking.
- Budget-Friendly & Economical: Dining out, especially for takeout, can quickly add up. This homemade Honey Sriracha Chicken offers a significantly more economical alternative without compromising on flavor or quality. You can feed your entire family a restaurant-worthy meal for a fraction of the cost of ordering in, making it a smart choice for your wallet.
Essential Ingredients for Your Honey Sriracha Chicken
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful dish. Specific measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Chicken: We recommend lean chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes for quick cooking and even crisping. However, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative if you prefer a richer, more succulent bite. This recipe is also incredibly forgiving and works wonderfully with other proteins like shrimp, firm tofu (pressed and cubed), or even pre-cooked meatballs.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Simple yet essential seasonings. Use flaky sea salt for texture and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the chicken’s natural flavors before cooking.
- Cornstarch: This is a dual-purpose ingredient. It creates that desirable crispy coating on the chicken when pan-fried and later acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, giving it a luscious, glossy consistency that perfectly clings to the chicken. Potato starch is a fantastic gluten-free alternative if needed.
- Fresh Garlic: The backbone of so many savory Asian dishes, fresh minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic foundation that is critical to the dish’s overall flavor profile. Do not substitute with garlic powder; fresh makes all the difference.
- Red Chili Flakes: These add a touch of visual appeal and a gentle warmth to the dish. You can easily adjust the amount to suit your spice preference – use more for an extra kick, or reduce/omit for a milder experience.
- Oil: Peanut oil is our top choice for its high smoke point and subtle nutty flavor, which complements Asian cuisine beautifully. However, any neutral-flavored cooking oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, soybean oil, or sunflower oil will work perfectly.
For the Irresistible Honey Sriracha Sauce
This sauce is where the magic truly happens, a perfect symphony of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes:
- Honey: Adds a natural sweetness with a delicate floral undertone, beautifully balancing the tang and heat of the other ingredients. Feel free to adjust the amount to your desired sweetness level.
- Sriracha Sauce: The star of the spice component. Its vibrant heat and subtle garlic notes are iconic. Customize the quantity to control the spice level – from a gentle warmth to an intense blaze.
- Rice Vinegar: Essential for that signature tangy brightness that cuts through the richness and sweetness, giving the sauce its authentic Asian character. If unavailable, apple cider vinegar can be used as a worthy substitute.
- Soy Sauce: Use a light or regular soy sauce to provide the necessary umami and saltiness. Avoid dark soy sauce, as its stronger flavor and darker color can overpower the delicate balance of the sauce and make it appear too dark.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: A small amount of this potent oil goes a long way in imparting a rich, nutty, and distinctive aroma that completes the sauce’s flavor profile. Add it sparingly, as its flavor is very strong.
Garnishing for Perfection
Garnishes aren’t just for looks; they add crucial texture and fresh flavors:
- For a vibrant finish and a delightful crunch, we love adding freshly chopped green onions (scallions) and crushed toasted peanuts on top. If peanuts aren’t your preference, sesame seeds or chopped cashews make excellent alternatives.
Crafting the Perfect Honey Sriracha Sauce
Preparing this incredibly flavorful sauce couldn’t be simpler. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the honey, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, light soy sauce, and a hint of toasted sesame oil. Whisk all the ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the sauce is smooth and uniform. Once mixed, set it aside. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully while you prepare the chicken, ensuring a perfectly balanced and cohesive taste experience when everything comes together.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Honey Sriracha Chicken
Follow these simple steps to create a crispy, tender, and incredibly flavorful Honey Sriracha Chicken that rivals any takeout dish:
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by patting your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving a crispy crust. Season the chicken generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides.
- Coat the Chicken: Place the cornstarch in a shallow dish or a plate with raised edges. Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the cornstarch, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch before transferring the coated chicken to a separate clean plate. This light coating is key to developing that desirable crispy exterior.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat a large, nonstick frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot. Add 2 ½ tablespoons of your chosen oil to the pan and tilt it gently to ensure the oil coats the entire cooking surface. Carefully place the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the hot pan, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until the chicken develops a beautiful golden-brown color and is crisp from the bottom. Flip the chicken cubes over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until all sides are golden and the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the golden-brown chicken pieces from the pan and set them aside on a clean plate. You’ll add them back into the sauce shortly.
- Sauté Aromatics and Add Sauce: In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil. Add the minced garlic and red chili flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Immediately pour in the pre-mixed honey sriracha sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir the sauce continuously and cook for 1-2 minutes until it begins to thicken and becomes glossy. If your sauce needs a little extra thickening, you can quickly create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water (or chicken broth) and whisking it into the simmering sauce. Continue to stir until the desired thick, luscious consistency is achieved.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan with the thickened sauce. Toss the chicken gently, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated in the irresistible sticky sauce. Continue to cook for another minute or so, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors and the sauce to adhere perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Generously top your Honey Sriracha Chicken with the crushed toasted peanuts and freshly chopped green onions.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately while hot, allowing everyone to savor the incredible combination of crispy chicken and savory-sweet-spicy sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While Honey Sriracha Chicken is undeniably best enjoyed fresh, leftovers are still incredibly delicious and make for a fantastic quick lunch the next day. To store, allow the chicken to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer any leftover chicken and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to reheat, you have a few options. For the best results, reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny splash of water or broth. This helps to loosen the sauce and prevents the chicken from drying out. Stir frequently until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between, until piping hot. Keep in mind that the chicken’s crispiness will be softer after reheating, but the flavor will remain superb.
Pro Tips for Perfect Honey Sriracha Chicken Every Time
To ensure your Honey Sriracha Chicken turns out perfectly delicious and hassle-free, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Versatile Sauce Base: Remember, this incredible sauce isn’t just for chicken! It’s perfect for almost any protein that benefits from pan-frying or quick cooking. Experiment with juicy meatballs, succulent chicken wings (toss them in the sauce after baking or frying), tender shrimp, or hearty tofu cubes. Simply follow the recipe as written, adjusting only the cooking time to match your chosen protein.
- Enhance Your Dipping Sauce: If you decide to make a larger batch of the sauce to use as a standalone dip, don’t forget to elevate its flavor. Add a little extra fresh minced garlic and a pinch more red chili flakes directly to the sauce for an added layer of zing and aromatic depth. This extra step will make your dip truly unforgettable.
- Uniform Chicken Pieces are Key: For even cooking and consistent results, strive to cut your chicken breast into pieces of roughly the same size (about 1-inch cubes). This ensures that all pieces cook through at the same rate, preventing some from becoming dry while others are still undercooked.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: When pan-frying the chicken, resist the urge to cram too many pieces into the skillet at once. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed rather than crispy chicken. If necessary, cook the chicken in two or three batches to ensure each piece has enough space to brown properly and achieve that desirable crisp texture.
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Chicken breast can quickly become dry if overcooked. Keep a close eye on your chicken while it’s pan-frying. Cook it just until it’s golden brown on all sides and cooked through, typically about 2-3 minutes per side for 1-inch cubes. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C) for perfect doneness.
- Customize the Heat Level: The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability to your personal spice preference. If you love a fiery kick, feel free to add more sriracha sauce or increase the amount of red chili flakes. For those who prefer a milder flavor, reduce the sriracha or omit the chili flakes entirely. Taste as you go and adjust to find your ideal balance.
Discover More Delightful Dinners
If you enjoyed this Honey Sriracha Chicken, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic dinner recipes from our collection:
- Flavorful Chicken Mei Fun
- Authentic Chicken Jalfrezi
- Simple & Delicious Easy Egg Fried Rice
- The Best Easy Spanish Rice
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Sriracha Chicken
Sriracha, pronounced ‘see-ROTCH-ah’, is a renowned Southeast Asian hot sauce known for its distinctive blend of red chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. It is widely believed to have originated in Thailand and has gained immense popularity worldwide, particularly in the United States, for its versatile flavor and moderate heat.
Sriracha sauce is readily available in most major supermarkets in the international or Asian foods aisle. You can also find it at specialized Asian grocery stores. For first-timers, the Huy Fong’s Sriracha brand (often recognizable by its green cap and rooster logo) is highly recommended and widely regarded as the most popular and authentic choice.
As written, this recipe offers a pleasant, moderate level of spice that most palates find enjoyable and not overly intense. The balance of honey and sriracha creates a well-rounded flavor profile. However, the beauty of this dish lies in its customizability. You can easily adjust the heat level to your preference by adding more or less sriracha sauce and red chili flakes. For a significantly milder version, you can even choose to omit the chili flakes entirely without compromising the delicious sticky sauce.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts or thighs, but it’s crucial to thaw them completely before proceeding with the recipe. Pat them very dry after thawing to ensure they crisp up properly when pan-frying. Using partially frozen chicken will result in a watery sauce and less crispy chicken.
This flavorful chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of simple side dishes. Classic choices include steamed white or brown rice, stir-fried noodles, or quinoa. For a healthier option, consider serving it with steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. A light cucumber salad or a simple green salad can also provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken.
We truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this incredible Honey Sriracha Chicken! If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating below. Your feedback is invaluable, as we love hearing from you, and it also greatly assists other readers who are considering making the recipe. Happy cooking!
Recipe
Honey Garlic Sriracha Chicken
Crispy, tender chicken smothered in an irresistibly sticky, sweet, spicy honey sriracha sauce with garlic. This honey sriracha chicken is ready in 20 minutes from start to finish and tastes so good you will never order takeout again!
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: Honey sriracha chicken recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Geetanjali
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 500 gram or 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoon peanut oil (or neutral-flavored oil)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
For Honey Sriracha Sauce
- 4 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoon sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Garnish
- 2 tablespoon spring onion greens, chopped
- 2 tablespoon toasted peanuts, crushed
Instructions
Making Honey Sriracha Sauce
- In a bowl, combine honey, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
Preparing Honey Sriracha Chicken
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Place cornstarch in a shallow dish, coat the chicken pieces, shaking off any excess. Set aside.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 ½ tablespoons of oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and red chili flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Immediately pour in the prepared honey sriracha sauce. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Toss the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated in the sticky sauce. Cook for another minute to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove the chicken from heat and top with crushed toasted peanuts and chopped green onions.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- This sauce is perfect for any pan-cooked protein like meatballs, chicken wings, shrimp, or tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- If serving the sauce as a dip, enhance it with a little extra minced garlic and chili flakes.
- Cut chicken into even-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure crispiness.
- Do not overcook the chicken; it will become dry.
- Adjust the heat level by adding more or less sriracha and red chili flakes to suit your preference.
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition information is a general estimate only. Actual values may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used. For the most accurate information, please consult a registered dietitian or use your preferred nutrition calculator.