Name: Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tablespoons olive oil; ½ cup honey; 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free); 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 2 green onions, sliced on the diagonal; Sesame seeds, for garnish

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This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is a perfect weeknight dinner that delivers on flavor with minimal effort. Tender chicken pieces are tossed in a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze made with honey, soy sauce, and a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. Served with bell peppers and topped with fresh green onions and sesame seeds, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Best of all, it’s ready in just under 30 minutes!

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ cup honey

2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

2 green onions, sliced on the diagonal

Sesame seeds, for garnish

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and nearly cooked through.

Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the peppers are just tender but still vibrant.

Pour the honey-pepper glaze over the chicken and peppers. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.

Remove from heat and stir in the sliced green onions.

Plate the chicken and peppers, then garnish with sesame seeds.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Approximate Calories: 320 kcal per serving

Variations

Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version. Be sure to press the tofu to remove excess water and get a crispy texture.

More Heat: If you love spicy food, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or even add a few dashes of hot sauce to the glaze.

Add Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables to this dish, such as mushrooms, broccoli, or snap peas, to make it even more hearty.

Storage/Reheating

This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken stores well for a few days. To store, place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. If you want to avoid it drying out, add a splash of water or chicken broth while reheating.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes! I prefer using chicken thighs for their tenderness, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly fine in this recipe as well.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prep the chicken and glaze in advance. Store the glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and the chicken can be cut and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce. Just make sure to double-check the labels of any other ingredients you use, like your rice vinegar.

Can I use a different type of pepper?

Absolutely! You can experiment with other bell pepper colors or even try adding a spicy pepper like jalapeño for an extra kick.

How can I make this dish spicier?

If you like things extra spicy, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze. You could also drizzle some hot sauce on top when serving!

Conclusion

This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is the perfect quick and flavorful meal for busy nights when you crave something both savory and sweet. The tender chicken coated in a sticky glaze, with fresh bell peppers and a dash of heat, will leave everyone at the table satisfied. Plus, it’s so easy to make in under 30 minutes! Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, this recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite.

Recipe:

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

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Author: Cheryl
Total Time: 28 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A quick and flavorful dish with tender chicken coated in a sweet and spicy honey glaze, paired with colorful bell peppers and topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and nearly cooked through.
Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the peppers are just tender but still vibrant.
Pour the honey-pepper glaze over the chicken and peppers. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
Remove from heat and stir in the sliced green onions.
Plate the chicken and peppers, then garnish with sesame seeds.