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Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo Recipe

4.5 from 625 reviews

Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs marinated and cooked with colorful bell peppers, aromatic onions, garlic, and ginger. The dish is perfectly balanced with a sweet and spicy sauce made from honey, soy sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar, finished with a glossy, thickened glaze. Served over fluffy cooked rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this recipe delivers a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (or less, to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Vegetables

  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons water

Cooking Oils and Garnishes

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat all chicken pieces.
  2. Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse into the chicken.
  3. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 2 1/2 teaspoons sriracha, and 2 tablespoons water. Set this sauce mixture aside.
  4. Heat oil in skillet: Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  5. Cook the chicken: Add the marinated chicken in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  6. Sauté vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Stir in the onion, red and yellow bell peppers, garlic, and grated ginger. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender yet crisp.
  7. Combine chicken and vegetables: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables.
  8. Add sauce and simmer: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  9. Serve: Serve the Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo hot over cooked rice.
  10. Garnish and enjoy: Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Enjoy your flavorful meal!

Notes

  • If you prefer milder heat, reduce the amount of sriracha used in the marinade and sauce.
  • Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which helps in browning the meat evenly.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results compared to chicken breasts.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
  • Leftover Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo, chicken thighs, spicy chicken recipe, sweet and spicy chicken, stir-fry chicken, easy chicken dinner, chicken with bell peppers, sriracha chicken, honey chicken, Asian-inspired chicken