Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce is the perfect 20-minute dinner solution! After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the best crispy chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting and Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with Potatoes and Carrots.
Why This Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce
- Better than takeout in 20 minutes
- Easy cleanup with just one pan
- Versatile sauce for chicken, pork, or shrimp
What You'll Need for Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Thinly slice for even cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Step 2: Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, pour in the sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and coat with the sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan with chicken. Cook in batches if needed to ensure crispy skin.
- Pro tip: For a spicier sauce, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezing Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
Freeze cooked chicken in the sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For best results, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and slice the chicken ahead of time. Cook the chicken just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a tablespoon or two of water.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Makes prep work easier and ensures even slicing. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Step 2: Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until crispy and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, pour in the sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and coat with the sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For best results, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and slice the chicken ahead of time. Cook the chicken just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a tablespoon or two of water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in the sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Make ahead: Sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and slice the chicken ahead of time. Cook the chicken just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) but is not overcooked.
Yes, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through. Then, proceed with the sauce as directed.
Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as a gluten-free substitute for soy sauce.
Yes, freeze cooked chicken in the sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
