Spicy Sweet Garlic Chicken Bites

ByJaclyn Shimmel On01/08/202203/25/2024 Updated03/25/2024

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Sweet & Spicy Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bites – sweet, sticky honey paired with garlic and spicy red pepper flakes come together in a harmonious sauce perfect for coating your crispy chicken breast bites. A quick and easy one-pot meal that will have your family asking for seconds!

These easy sticky chicken bites are bursting with flavor. The powerful punch of the spicy red chili and garlic is balanced by a sweet and calming note of honey.

Like honey sesame chicken, this quick and easy chicken recipe will be a family favorite because of its addicting flavor.

Sticky garlic chicken bites with a sweet and spicy sauce served over rice in a bowl. A skillet with additional chicken pieces and a wooded spoon is in background.

This easy chicken dish is a delicious option when you want to switch it up from your normal boring dinners. You will love how well these flavors go together.

Serve with some steamed or sauteed vegetables and rice for the perfect weeknight meal!

For more easy one-pot chicken breast recipes try this tasty creamy garlic chicken or this delicious smothered chicken recipe. Can’t get enough spice? Give my Alabama firecrackers recipe a try!

Why You’ll Love These Spicy Sweet Garlic Chicken Bites

It’s easy AND delicious! So many of these quick-and-easy style meals end up skimping on the flavor, but not this garlic sticky chicken recipe. This dish is not only easy to put together; it’s something you will actually look forward to eating.
Not much cleanup! This dish really only requires your skillet and a mixing bowl. You don’t have to worry about having a sink full of dishes just for your meat.
It’s a different flavor, made with regular pantry ingredients! It’s easy to get in a rut with your meals and feel like you are always cooking the same things. This chicken is a nice break away from those household staples, but it uses so many of the same ingredients we always have in our kitchen, so there’s no searching the store trying to find an ingredient you’ve never heard of.

Pieces of spicy and sweet garlic chicken garnished with chopped parsley in a frying pan with wooden spoon

Equipment For Your Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breast

Large skillet
Bowl for mixing/seasoning
Meat thermometer

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Spicy Sweet Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

ingredients in bowls on countertop: chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, red pepper flakes, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, butter, ketchup, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and parsley

boneless skinless chicken breasts – cut into bite sized pieces
red pepper flakes – also called crushed red pepper
garlic
olive oil – you could also use vegetable oil or avocado oil
soy sauce – I like to use a low-sodium soy sauce
honey
ketchup
butter – I used unsalted butter. If you use salted butter you might want to skip adding any additional.
cornstarch – for coating the raw chicken pieces before cooking
lemon juice
salt & pepper
fresh parsley – optional garnish

Substitutions and Variations

Panko: If you prefer chicken with more breading, you can coat the chicken pieces in panko and sear prior to adding your ingredients to the skillet.
Garnish: Instead of parsley, top your sticky chicken bites with sesame seeds and/or green onions.
Stir-fry: If you want your meal to be served stir-fry style, add your rice and veggies to the skillet with your chicken!

How to Make Spicy Sweet Garlic Chicken Bites

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Place the chicken in a mixing bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper and toss the chicken in the cornstarch to coat. Set aside.

Step 2: Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, shaking off any excess cornstarch. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is seared a golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.

golden brown cooked pieces of bite-sized chicken pieces in a skillet

Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish chicken with fresh parsley. Serve over rice immediately, enjoy!

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breast Bites in large skillet

Storing & Reheating Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Breast

You can store your leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 days.

When reheating, be sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

What To Serve/Pair With Your Sticky Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe

These garlic chicken bites would be great with brown rice, white rice, fried rice, and/or noodles. I always love to have a ramen stir fry with vegetables or steamed vegetables with a meal like this, such as broccoli, carrots, and zucchini.

If you enjoy a fresh salad, I’d recommend topping with wonton strips, almonds, cranberries, and a sweet sesame dressing.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bites FAQs

Do you have any recommendations on how to make this spicier for people who want it extra hot?

Yes! I would either add extra chili pepper flakes or add sriracha to your skillet sauce. It will add spice without changing the flavor a whole lot.

Why does my chicken taste dry?

If your chicken is dry, it may be overcooked or have been cooked too quickly. Make sure your skillet is on medium-high heat and monitor your temperature to prevent it from getting too hot.

My sauce isn’t thickening much at all; what can I do?

Don’t worry! Just mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of water, and add to your sauce, stirring regularly. It should start to thicken up after a couple of minutes.

Can I use flour to coat my chicken instead?

Yes, feel free to swap the cornstarch for flour or use a combination of the two if you prefer a thicker coating on your chicken.

Be sure to come back and let me know how your Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites turned out!