Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken

Sticky, garlicky, salty, sweet, spicy. I don't know about you, but when I find a way to combine all those nuances in one skillet, I'm a happy girl. I'm 100% sure the chicken is happy to be in there too. This one-pan meal balances salty soy with sweet honey and fiery hot sauce; and then the whole thing is spirited with garlic, cilantro and sesame. It's an addictive sauce that I could eat for days. Oh, and I should mention, it's healthy too.

This pantry-staple-inspired sauce is made with ingredients you may already have handy. Soy sauce, honey, garlic, hot sauce. You can even use dried garlic from your spice rack (I like dried minced garlic; it's more reminiscent of fresh chopped garlic in the sauce). I also added dried cilantro, a spice rack must-have for times like this - when you want cilantro IN the sauce, not as a garnish at the end (although, a cilantro garnish would be fine too!).

How spicy do you like it? I love that you can control the amount of heat in this dish. Do you like subtle, sweet heat? Or, do you like runny-nose-heat? You have two opportunities to create the perfect dish. First, there's hot sauce in the sauce - and you can add a little or a lot. Then, the are crushed red pepper flakes for serving - again, you can add a little or lot. Two chances to control the heat, making this a completely family-friendly meal.

About the limes: You don't HAVE to serve lime wedges on the side. I mean, I don't want you running to the store for limes if you already have everything else on your list. The reason I called for them is because a squeeze of citrus adds a refreshing burst of flavor to the chicken and sauce. Tart citrus plays well with the sweet honey too. You could also use lemon or orange wedges. If you don't have any of those things - don't sweat it; the dish will be fine.

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth or water
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons dried cilantro
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce of choice, such as sriracha, or more to taste
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
Salt and ground black pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes for serving
Lime wedges for serving, optional

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, broth (or water), honey, garlic, cilantro, sesame oil, and hot sauce. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides, stirring frequently. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Add the soy sauce mixture to the chicken and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and reduces and the chicken is cooked through.
Serve with lime wedges on the side and crushed red pepper flakes sprinkled over top.

Serves 4