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Homemade takeout?
This Spicy Honey Chicken Recipe is one of my favorite recipes! If there was one recipe I wanted to make over more than anything, it would be any kind of Chinese takeout. It is really good, but could always be a little healthier. I don’t eat out much anymore for this reason and only get Chinese Food from a restaurant a few times a year.
I was so happy to discover just how easy it is to make healthier takeout from home. Just a few simple swaps and using the freshest whole ingredients makes a big difference. This way you can omit a lot of unnecessary salt, fat and sugar. This recipe does still have sugar but it’s a more natural kind. I believe moderation is key.
Easy recipe swaps
A lot of the Chinese food recipes from major chain restaurants are loaded with extra salt and sugar. I like to have control over what goes in my food. Yes, it may take longer to make a meal like this at home, but the benefits outweigh the negatives. If a recipe takes a little longer to put together, I usually save it for a weekend meal.
Instead of using a processed white sugar in a recipe, I’ll swap for part brown sugar or coconut sugar and part honey. Some recipes you can get away with just honey. It really depends what you’re trying to make. This Spicy Honey Recipe has a wonderful sauce that really elevates the flavors. I used Honey and Brown Sugar in this sauce and it is so good!
The key is to watch how much sugar or salt you’re putting in. A 1/4 cup of sugar may sound like a lot, but not when it’s being used in a large meal. This recipe is about 4 servings so that brings the amount of sugar per serving down.
Always choose low-sodium
Another swap I use for this type of recipe is to use a low-sodium Soy Sauce and a low-sodium Chicken Stock. This brings the salt way down from any dish you find in a Chinese Restaurant, but doesn’t take away the flavor.
One thing you will find missing in this dish is the addition of a traditional salt or pepper seasoning. The reason for this is because you don’t need it. All of the flavor comes from the salt naturally found in the soy sauce and the sugar provides the balance. Trust me when you taste this sauce, you’ll find it has all the flavor you need.
Spicy flavors
I have made this recipe with just honey and Sriracha or like I did this time, using honey, brown sugar and a sweet chili sauce. BOTH variations taste amazing! If you don’t like spicy, you can just leave it out…..but I think a lot of the flavor comes from the addition of these sauces.
The sweet chili sauce is most commonly made with red chili peppers, rice wine vinegar, garlic, fish sauce, and honey. Sriracha is a type if hot sauce made from a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, and salt.
Chili peppers are rich in various vitamins and minerals including: Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K1, Potassium, Copper, and Vitamin A. They also have high antioxidant properties and a health powerhouse known as Capsaicin.
Capsaicin is a molecular compound found in spicy peppers. It has been known to aid in weight loss, fight cancer and even chronic pain. Adding chili peppers into your diet every once in awhile definitely has its benefits.
This recipe is so good! You won’t miss spending extra money on takeout that will leaving you feel unsatisfactory the next day. Instead opt for this healthier, homemade version and you won’t be disappointed.
The perfect side for this Spicy Honey Chicken is my Homemade Fried Rice Recipe you can find HERE. Let me know in the comments what you think or what variations you have tried! Enjoy! 🙂
Spicy Honey Chicken
This recipe puts a healthier twist on traditional Chinese takeout. The sweet chili and honey in the sauce makes for a spicy sweet flavor. Paired with homemade fried rice, you won’t miss traditional takeout.
Ingredients
- 3-4 Chicken Breasts, Cubed
- 1/3 Cup Corn Starch
- 1-2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Water
- 5 Tbsp Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sweet Chili Sauce or Sriracha (2-3 Tbsp for Sriracha, depending on how spicy you want it)
- 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Garlic, Minced (about 2 cloves)
- 3 Tbsp Honey
- 2 Tbsp Corn Starch
- 2 Tbsp Water
Instructions
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In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce (or sriracha), brown sugar, garlic and honey. Bring to a boil.
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Stir 2 tbsp water into 2 tbsp corn starch in a small bowl. Once combined, add to saucepan and stir until thickened. Reduce to low heat.
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Add chicken and 1/3 cup corn starch to a gallon bag. Zip closed and toss until chicken is completely coated. Drizzle olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add coated chicken to pan and cook until golden brown, turning every few minutes. Make sure chicken is cooked through.
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Add sauce over cooked chicken in skillet pan and stir to coat.
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Serve over rice or with fried rice recipe. Top with red pepper flakes if desired.
