Sweet, Sticky, and Spicy Chicken is a delectable dish that promises a perfect balance of flavors. It's a dish that not only tantalizes your taste buds with its sweetness and heat but also leaves you craving for more with its sticky, savory sauce. Ideal for those who appreciate a little spice in their meals without overpowering the inherent flavors of the chicken. Below, we delve into the details of preparing this mouthwatering dish, including the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cooking notes, serving suggestions, tips, and nutritional information.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root (or ginger seasoning if fresh is unavailable)
- 2 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust according to spice preference)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Preparation
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, chopped ginger, chopped garlic, and hot sauce. Whisk these ingredients together until the sugar has mostly dissolved. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings, including salt and pepper, according to your preference.
Step 2: Add the cubed chicken breasts to the sauce mixture, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator. For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the chicken for up to an hour.
Step 3: Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet, reserving the marinade for later use.
Step 4: Cook the chicken until it's nicely browned and cooked through, which should take about 6-8 minutes depending on the size of the cubes. Make sure to turn the pieces occasionally for even cooking.
Step 5: Once the chicken is cooked, reduce the heat to low and add the reserved marinade to the skillet. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens into a sticky glaze that coats the chicken well. This should take about 5 minutes.
Step 6: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. The final dish should have a harmonious balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.
COOKING Note:
Be vigilant as the sauce thickens to avoid burning. The key to achieving the perfect sticky glaze is to simmer the sauce on low heat, allowing it to reduce slowly while continuously coating the chicken.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the Sweet, Sticky, and Spicy Chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions for an added crunch and freshness. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, quinoa, or a light salad for a complete meal.
Tips:
- If you're sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount of hot sauce and adjust upwards according to taste.
- Using fresh ginger will give a more vibrant flavor, but ground ginger is a suitable substitute when fresh is not available.
- For an added vegetable component, consider stir-frying some bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas in the skillet before adding the chicken.
Prep Time: 20 minutes (including marinating time)
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: Approximately 300-350 per serving.
- Protein: Roughly 25g per serving.
- Sodium: Approximately 800mg per serving, though this can vary based on the soy sauce used and added salt.
Conclusion
Sweet, Sticky, and Spicy Chicken is a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that brings together the best of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. It's relatively quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you need a delicious meal without too much fuss. The simplicity of ingredients, coupled with the depth of flavor they create when combined, showcases the magic of home cooking. Whether you're cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, this dish is sure to impress and satisfy any appetite.
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