Get ready for a flavor explosion with Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo—a dish that brings together tender, juicy chicken with a glossy, vibrant sauce that perfectly balances fiery heat and captivating sweetness. Each bite is like a celebration, thanks to the medley of spices, honey, and smoky undertones. If you love bold, saucy chicken that feels like comfort food with a daring twist, this recipe is your next obsession.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo comes together with easy-to-find ingredients, yet each one adds a vital note to the dish’s mouthwatering harmony. From spicy add-ins to sweet touches, every item on this list has an important role to play—so let’s give them the spotlight they deserve!
- Chicken breasts: Lean, boneless, and skinless pieces cut into bite-sized chunks mean quick cooking and juicy results.
- Olive oil: This classic base for sautéing gives the chicken a lovely, golden crisp and keeps things heart-healthy.
- Onion: Chopped onion adds subtle sweetness and depth as it caramelizes alongside garlic and pepper.
- Garlic cloves: The aromatics punch up the savoriness and round out both the heat and the sweet.
- Red bell pepper: For color, crunch, and a burst of natural sweetness.
- Tomato sauce: A silky base that thickens into a sauce you’ll want to scoop up with everything on your plate.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and lends a luxurious richness to the sauce.
- Hot sauce: Here’s where the “Diablo” magic begins—pick your favorite for the heat level you love.
- Honey: The foundation of the dish’s signature sweetness, balancing out all the spice.
- Brown sugar: Adds an earthy note and glossy finish to the sauce.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a subtle smokiness that deepens the whole flavor profile.
- Chili flakes: Brings bursts of heat; you can control the spice by how much you sprinkle.
- Ground cumin: Adds warmth and complexity, echoing the other smoky notes.
- Salt: Essential for making all the vibrant flavors pop.
- Black pepper: A gentle heat that wakes everything up.
- Cayenne pepper: For the true spice chasers—adds a thrilling kick that lingers.
- Chicken broth: This helps meld the sauce into something utterly sippable and savory.
- Fresh parsley: A sprinkle of herbaceous brightness right before serving wakes up each bite.
How to Make Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add your chicken pieces, making sure they’re in a single layer so every piece gets a good sear. Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is gorgeously golden and just cooked through. Scoop the chicken onto a plate and set it aside—you’ll return it to the skillet in a bit.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Using the same skillet (those flavorful brown bits are gold!), toss in the chopped onions, minced garlic, and sliced red bell pepper. Stir them around for about 5 minutes, or until everything’s softened and just starting to caramelize. The aroma filling your kitchen at this point is a dreamy preview of what’s to come.
Step 3: Build the Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo Sauce
Turn the heat down a notch and introduce the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Now, add the hot sauce for heat, honey and brown sugar for sweetness, smoked paprika and chili flakes for that layered spice, plus cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir everything together so the sauce turns a deep, brick-red color—a sure sign those bold flavors are mingling beautifully.
Step 4: Simmer and Combine
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Now bring back the browned chicken, nestling every piece into that gorgeous, bubbling sauce. Stir everything until the chicken is well-coated, then reduce your heat to low. Cover and let the skillet work its magic for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is thick, glossy, and audaciously delicious.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once you’re ready to serve, sprinkle plenty of chopped fresh parsley over the top. This pop of green cuts through the richness and adds instant freshness, making Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo irresistible right from the skillet to the plate.
How to Serve Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo
Garnishes
Nothing finishes Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo better than a generous shower of fresh parsley: it’s vibrant, aromatic, and provides a cooling contrast to the sauce. If you’re feeling extra, try a squeeze of fresh lime juice for zing, or scatter over a handful of thinly sliced scallions for crunch and color.
Side Dishes
This chicken begs for a delicious bed to soak up its spicy-sweet sauce—think fluffy jasmine rice, nutty quinoa, or even creamy mashed potatoes. For something lighter, roasted vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or Brussels sprouts make excellent partners, absorbing every drop of that bold sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, serve Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo family-style in a big skillet alongside toasted crusty bread for dunking. For easy weeknight meals, pile it onto a bowl of warm grain or tuck inside a toasty wrap with greens. As party food, try spooning bite-sized portions into lettuce cups for a spicy-sweet appetizer that’ll wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any extra Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to four days, and, if anything, gets even richer and deeper in flavor after a night’s rest.
Freezing
This dish freezes like a dream! After cooling, portion into freezer-safe containers and stash in the freezer for up to three months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to preserve the chicken’s tenderness and the sauce’s texture.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo gently over medium heat in a skillet, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened in storage. Microwave reheating works, too—just use a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and stir halfway through to ensure even warmth.
FAQs
Is Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo very hot?
The heat level is bold but balanced by the sweetness, making it approachable for most spice lovers. If you prefer mild dishes, start with less cayenne and chili flakes, then add more to taste.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a wonderful substitute as they’re even juicier and bring extra richness to Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo. Just be sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
What’s the best hot sauce for this recipe?
This is the perfect spot to use your personal favorite—anything from classic Louisiana-style to smoky chipotle hot sauce will shine. Adjust the amount to suit your spice threshold.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo is naturally gluten-free as written, making it perfect for those with dietary restrictions. Always check the labels on your hot sauce and tomato products to be sure.
Can I prep any components ahead of time?
Definitely! Chop your veggies, cut the chicken, and even measure out the spices up to a day in advance. When you’re ready to cook, toss everything together and dinner will be on the table in no time.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll treat yourself to a skillet full of Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo soon—it’s everything you love about home-cooked comfort, with a punch of bold flavors that keeps you coming back for more. Give it a try, invite some friends, and watch this delicious dish become a new favorite in your kitchen!
Print
Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines the perfect balance of heat from spices and sweetness from honey. This stovetop chicken recipe is easy to make and perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Chicken:
Sauce:
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, then set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, cook onion, garlic, and red bell pepper until softened. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, honey, brown sugar, and spices. Mix well.
- Simmer: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return chicken to the skillet and cook covered for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels to taste by reducing cayenne and chili flakes.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
