Description
Easy Honey Pepper Chicken is a quick and flavorful recipe featuring tender chicken coated in a glossy honey glaze with a fresh cracked black pepper kick. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish balances sweet and spicy flavors and pairs wonderfully with rice, veggies, or noodles for a satisfying, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (for extra heat)
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Green onions or chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then lightly season with salt and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. This helps the seasoning stick and ensures a flavorful base before cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on both sides and completely cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove and set aside.
- Make the honey pepper sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant but not browned. Then stir in honey, soy sauce, water or broth, and freshly cracked black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch with a little cold water to create a slurry, then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2 minutes.
- Combine and coat: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and gently toss it in the thickened honey pepper sauce. Make sure every piece is coated well before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cracked black pepper for a more vibrant and spicy flavor compared to pre-ground pepper.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed for a perfect sear and even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of honey to suit your preferred level of sweetness.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.
- The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken but not sticky or clumpy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: honey pepper chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, sweet and spicy chicken, family-friendly, weeknight meals, gluten free