Description
Sweet and Spicy Sticky Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs glazed in a luscious sweet and spicy sauce made from soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pan-seared until golden and simmered to a glossy finish, this dish delivers a perfect balance of sweetness, heat, and umami, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes until fully combined to create a flavorful, balanced sauce.
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Brown the chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the hot skillet and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is nicely browned and has developed a delicious crust.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the browned chicken in the skillet, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to begin infusing the chicken with flavor.
- Simmer and thicken: Cook the chicken and sauce together for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce reduces and thickens into a sticky glaze that clings beautifully to the meat.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the chicken with the sticky sauce spooned generously over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired for added texture and color.
Notes
- For a milder version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables to complete the meal.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted with boneless chicken breasts but may require slightly shorter cooking time.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
