Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Magic

Spice meets sweetness in this mouthwatering honey sriracha chicken that delivers a flavor explosion with every bite.

Bold and tangy sriracha blends perfectly with golden honey to create an irresistible glaze.

The marinade infuses tender chicken with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Each succulent piece promises a delightful culinary adventure that awakens your taste buds.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

The combination of ingredients transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal.

Honey Sriracha Chicken, Sweet Heat in Every Bite

  • Whip Up Speedy Dinner: Requires minimal ingredients and can be prepared quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Customize with Ease: Easily adaptable to personal taste preferences by adjusting Sriracha levels for more or less heat, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy this flavorful dish.
  • Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Delivers bold, complex flavors that rival professional restaurant dishes, allowing home cooks to impress family and guests with minimal culinary expertise.
  • Versatile Serving Options: Pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables, making it a flexible main course that can be transformed to suit different dining styles and preferences.

Ingredients for Honey Sriracha Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the primary component of this flavorful dish.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Honey, Sriracha, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: A dynamic blend of sweet, spicy, salty, and tangy flavors that creates a delicious glaze for the chicken.
Aromatics and Garnish:
  • Garlic, Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: These ingredients add depth of flavor, freshness, and a crunchy texture to the final dish.
Cooking Basics:
  • Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings and cooking fat that enhance the overall taste and help achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior on the chicken.

Cooking Up Honey Sriracha Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

Generously sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken breasts to enhance their natural flavor and create a delicious seasoning foundation.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Cook chicken breasts until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior and reach complete doneness, approximately 5-6 minutes on each side.

Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Awaken Garlic Aromatics

In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until its fragrant essence fills the kitchen, typically 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Create Spicy Honey Glaze

Combine the following ingredients in the skillet:
  • Honey
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Rice vinegar

Stir continuously until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency, which takes around 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken with Glaze

Return chicken to the skillet, thoroughly coating each piece with the spicy-sweet sauce.

Allow chicken to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring it’s heated through and the glaze becomes delightfully sticky.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken for a final burst of flavor and visual appeal.

Plate and enjoy your mouthwatering Honey Sriracha Chicken.

Tips for Balancing Heat and Sweetness

  • Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior when cooking.
  • Whisk cornstarch into the sauce mixture for a thicker, more glossy glaze that clings beautifully to the chicken.
  • Adjust Sriracha amount to dial up or tone down the spiciness according to your personal heat preference – start with less and add gradually.
  • Marinate chicken in the honey Sriracha sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to infuse deeper flavors into the meat.
  • Replace chicken breasts with tofu or boneless chicken thighs for a different texture and richer taste profile.

Ways to Change Up Honey Sriracha Chicken

  • Spicy Mango Chicken: Replace honey with mango puree and Sriracha with habanero sauce for a tropical heat kick.
  • Low-Carb Option: Swap honey for sugar-free maple syrup and serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using the same marinade and cooking method for a plant-based protein option.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Honey Sriracha Chicken Hot

  • Zesty Meal Companions: Serve over fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious honey Sriracha sauce.
  • Refreshing Side Kick: Pair with crisp cucumber salad dressed in light rice vinegar for a cool contrast to the spicy chicken.
  • Green Veggie Balance: Roast broccoli or asparagus alongside the chicken to add nutritious green vegetables that complement the sweet and spicy glaze.
  • Quick Flavor Boost: Sprinkle extra sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for added crunch and fresh herb notes.

Storing Honey Sriracha Chicken

  • Store leftover honey Sriracha chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to prevent bacterial growth and maintain moisture.
  • Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent dryness. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature until warmed through.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of chicken broth or water. Cover with foil to retain moisture, bake for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs

  • Is Sriracha sauce very spicy?

Sriracha has a moderate heat level, offering a balanced spiciness that most people can enjoy. You can adjust the amount of Sriracha to control the heat intensity.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly in this recipe. They’re often more flavorful and stay juicier due to their higher fat content.

  • What if I don't have rice vinegar?

You can substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Each will provide a slightly different tangy flavor profile to the sauce.

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and remains juicy.

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Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe

Honey Sriracha Chicken Recipe


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4.6 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy-sweet honey sriracha chicken delivers a flavor explosion that dances across your palate with irresistible Asian-inspired zest. Juicy chicken glazed in a perfect balance of heat and honey promises a quick, mouthwatering meal that will become an instant family favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup sriracha sauce
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Sesame seeds
  • Chopped scallions

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate, allowing it to rest momentarily.
  5. Reduce heat to medium and quickly sauté minced garlic in the same skillet for 30-45 seconds until aromatic.
  6. Pour honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, and rice vinegar into the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth, glossy sauce.
  7. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens and develops a rich, sticky consistency.
  8. Gently return chicken to the skillet, rolling each piece to ensure complete sauce coverage.
  9. Allow chicken to warm through in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes, promoting flavor absorption.
  10. Plate the glazed chicken and generously sprinkle with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and quick-cooking result.
  • Adjust Sriracha amount to control spice level, making it milder for kids or spicier for heat lovers.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure better browning and crispy exterior.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Asian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 355 kcal
  • Sugar: 19 g
  • Sodium: 760 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Developing single-serving recipes with a rustic, seasonal twist.
  • Crafting engaging food insights that connect with readers.
  • Developing content that educates readers on healthy baking alternatives.
  • Integrating local ingredients into accessible home cooking.​

Education

Blue Ridge Community College – Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on seasonal cooking, sustainable kitchen practices, and farm-to-table techniques.

Appalachian State University – B.A. in English
Built critical thinking and analysis through diverse texts. Guided by faculty, it prepares graduates for publishing and more.


Growing up in the rolling hills of North Carolina, Lucas learned early that some of life’s best memories start around a kitchen table. After studying English at Appalachian State University and honing his culinary skills at Blue Ridge Community College, he dreamed of blending storytelling with rustic, seasonal cooking, and The Scrumptious Pumpkin was born.
Lucas focuses on easy, single-serving recipes that turn fresh, local ingredients into something special. His style is simple, heartfelt, and rooted in the beauty of the seasons. When he’s not testing a new dish, you’ll probably find him hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, browsing farmers’ markets, or scribbling food stories in a notebook.

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