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- 500g boneless chicken thighs - 3 tablespoons honey - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1/2 cup assorted bell peppers, julienned - 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped - Sesame seeds for garnish I love how simple yet tasty this dish is. The main star, the chicken, is tender and juicy. I prefer boneless thighs for that rich flavor. The sweet part comes from honey, which adds a lovely glaze. Soy sauce brings depth, while apple cider vinegar gives a slight tang. The seasonings add a punch. Garlic and ginger bring warmth, while black pepper and red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat. Adjust the red pepper flakes to fit your taste. I enjoy adding colorful bell peppers. They not only look great but add a nice crunch. The green onions finish the dish with freshness. A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top gives it that extra flair. This combination of ingredients makes for a delightful meal. You can easily tweak the flavors to match your cravings. {{ingredient_image_2}} - Combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. - Whisk until well blended and set aside. Making the marinade is easy and fun. You start with a medium bowl. First, add the honey. It gives the dish a nice sweetness. Next, pour in the soy sauce for a salty kick. Then, add the apple cider vinegar. This adds a tangy taste that balances the dish. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. These add a fresh flavor to the mix. Now, sprinkle in black pepper and red pepper flakes. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your heat level. Whisk all these ingredients together until they blend well. Once done, set this aside. - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. - Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Now, let’s get cooking! Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in a tablespoon of olive oil. Wait for the oil to shimmer. This means it’s hot enough. Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook these for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir them occasionally to brown all sides. The chicken should look golden and be fully cooked when done. - Pour marinade over cooked chicken and stir to coat. - Add julienned bell peppers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Once the chicken is ready, lower the heat to medium. Carefully pour the prepared honey marinade over the chicken. Stir well to coat each piece. The chicken will soak in that sweet and spicy flavor. Next, gently add the julienned bell peppers into the skillet. Toss them with the chicken and sauce. Cook for an extra 3 to 4 minutes. This will let the peppers soften but still stay a bit crisp. Enjoy the bright colors and smells as you cook! Use boneless thighs for juiciness. They cook fast and stay moist. This helps the chicken soak in all those sweet and spicy flavors. Don't overcrowd the skillet for even cooking. If you add too much chicken at once, it may steam instead of brown. Cook in batches if needed for great results. Optional: Increase or decrease red pepper flakes based on your desired spiciness. If you like it hot, add more flakes. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount. Tasting as you go helps find your perfect heat level. Add bell peppers towards the end of cooking for a tender yet crisp texture. This keeps them vibrant and crunchy. Cook them just enough to warm through. Enjoy the contrast with the tender chicken and the bright colors in your dish! Pro Tips Marinate for Flavor: For an even deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat. Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely. Conversely, for more heat, add extra flakes or a dash of hot sauce. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will enhance the dish's flavor significantly compared to dried versions. Always opt for fresh where possible for the best results. Presentation Matters: For a beautiful presentation, serve the chicken and peppers in a vibrant bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds and extra green onions right before serving. {{image_4}} You can swap the chicken for tofu or shrimp. Tofu gives a nice texture and absorbs flavors well. Shrimp cooks fast and adds sweetness. Both options keep the dish delicious and fun. Try adding broccoli or snap peas for color and crunch. They boost the nutrition and make the dish more vibrant. Just toss them in with the bell peppers. Cook until tender but still crisp for the best taste. For a unique twist, add citrus zest or fresh herbs. Lemon or lime zest brightens the dish. Fresh basil or cilantro adds great flavor. These small changes can make your meal stand out even more. Store any leftover Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the chicken fresh and tasty. Make sure to cool it down before sealing. It will last for about three to four days. When you're ready to enjoy leftovers, gently reheat them. You can use a skillet or microwave. If using a skillet, warm it over low heat and stir frequently. This helps keep the chicken juicy. If using a microwave, cover the dish but leave a small gap for steam. Heat in short bursts to avoid overcooking. You can freeze portions for quick meals later. Just place the chicken in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the sauce's texture may change once thawed. It might become a bit thinner. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above. This way, you can enjoy this flavorful dish anytime! Total time is approximately 25 minutes. This includes 10 minutes for prep and 15 minutes for cooking. You can enjoy your meal quickly! Yes, you can use maple syrup or agave if you prefer. Both will add sweetness. Just remember, each sweetener has its own flavor. Recommended sides include jasmine rice or stir-fried noodles. Both pair well with the dish. You can also add extra green onions on top for more flavor. In this post, we explored making Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken. We covered the key ingredients, detailed step-by-step cooking instructions, and shared helpful tips. You can easily customize the dish with different proteins and vegetables. Remember to store leftovers properly for later enjoyment. This dish is quick to make and perfect for your dinner table. Enjoy your cooking and have fun trying out new flavors!

Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

A delicious blend of sweet honey and spicy peppers, this chicken dish is perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 cup assorted bell peppers, julienned
  • 0.25 cup green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Whisk these ingredients together until well blended and set this marinade aside.
  • Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and pour in the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat until shimmering.
  • Once the oil is ready, add the bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through.
  • Lower the heat to medium, then carefully pour the prepared honey marinade over the chicken in the skillet. Stir well to evenly coat each piece of chicken with the sweet and spicy sauce.
  • Gently add the julienned bell peppers to the skillet, tossing them with the chicken and sauce. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the peppers are tender yet retain a slight crispness.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the finely chopped green onions, mixing them throughout the dish.
  • Present your dish hot, garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an added layer of crunch and flavor.

Notes

Serve over jasmine rice or with stir-fried noodles for a complete meal.
Keyword chicken, honey, quick meal, spicy