Description
This Sweet and Spicy Sticky Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful glaze made from soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. The dish is cooked on the stovetop until the sauce thickens into a delicious sticky coating, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that balances sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
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
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, creating a balanced sweet and spicy glaze.
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat up until shimmering but not smoking, which helps achieve a nice sear on the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the skillet and cook them for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust and are partially cooked through.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the browned chicken in the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to begin thickening.
- Simmer until sticky: Continue cooking the chicken in the simmering sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to evenly coat the chicken. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened into a sticky glaze.
- Serve: Transfer the sticky chicken to a serving dish and spoon any extra sauce over the top. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juiciness and tenderness.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Serve with steamed rice or vegetables to complete the meal.
- Garnish options like sesame seeds and green onions add color and texture but are optional.
