Introduction

Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo is a fiery yet balanced dish, combining tangy hot sauce with sweet honey and smoky spices. This recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

The image shows three thick, golden-brown fried crab cakes in a white pan filled with a smooth, creamy orange sauce. Each crab cake has a slightly crispy, charred outer layer with a rich texture. On top of each crab cake, there are small bits of red, crispy garnish and bright green chopped scallions scattered over the surface. The sauce pools around the crab cakes, creating a warm contrast with the darker crust of the cakes, while some green herbs float in the sauce. The white marbled background gently blurs out, highlighting the dish's rich colors and textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup hot sauce
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey
1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
4 chicken breast cutlets (thinly pounded)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 scallions (chopped finely)

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, sour cream, ketchup, honey, smoked paprika, and ground cumin until well combined.
Step 2: Pour half of the sauce mixture over the chicken breast cutlets in a shallow dish, coating them evenly. Reserve the remaining sauce for later.
Step 3: Cover the dish and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator. For best results, marinate overnight, but if short on time, 30 minutes will work as well.
Step 4: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium, add the marinated chicken, and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
Step 6: While the chicken cooks, warm the reserved marinade in a small saucepan until heated through.
Step 7: Serve the cooked chicken on plates and drizzle the warm sauce over the top.
Step 8: Garnish with finely chopped scallions for a fresh finish.
Step 9: Enjoy your Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo!

Tips & Variations

For extra depth, add a splash of lime juice to the marinade before cooking.
Swap chicken breast cutlets for thighs if you prefer juicier meat.
If you like it less spicy, reduce the amount of hot sauce.
Serve over rice or with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to avoid drying out the chicken. The sauce can be warmed separately before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows four golden-brown fried chicken pieces arranged in a black cast iron skillet filled with a thick orange-brown sauce. Each chicken piece is drizzled with a shiny red sauce and topped with bright green chopped scallions scattered evenly. The skillet sits on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth and a wooden bowl of creamy yellow sauce blurred in the background. A silver fork rests on the edge of the skillet, adding to the rustic presentation. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavors, but even 30 minutes will give a good taste. The dish reheats well, making it great for meal prep.

What can I use if I don’t have hot sauce?

You can substitute with a mix of cayenne pepper and a bit of vinegar or use your favorite chili sauce to achieve a similar spicy kick.

Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 128 reviews

Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo is a flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast cutlets marinated in a zesty and sweet sauce made from hot sauce, sour cream, ketchup, honey, and aromatic spices. Pan-seared to perfection and topped with a warm drizzle of the remaining sauce and fresh scallions, this recipe offers a delightful balance of heat and sweetness, making it an irresistible main course for any occasion.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes (plus marinating time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade and Sauce

1/2 cup hot sauce
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey
1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin

Main Ingredients

4 chicken breast cutlets (thinly pounded)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 scallions (chopped finely)

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, sour cream, ketchup, honey, smoked paprika, and ground cumin until fully combined to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
Marinate the chicken: Pour half of the marinade over the chicken breast cutlets placed in a shallow dish, making sure they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
Heat the oil and sauté garlic: Warm the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Cook the chicken: Reduce the heat to medium, add the marinated chicken cutlets to the skillet, and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until both sides are browned and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
Warm the remaining sauce: While the chicken cooks, pour the remaining half of the marinade into a small saucepan and heat gently until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
Serve: Plate the cooked chicken and drizzle the warmed sauce over the top. Garnish with finely chopped scallions for a fresh, colorful touch.
Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of spicy and sweet flavors.

Notes

Marinating overnight enhances the flavor but a minimum of 30 minutes still yields great results.
Use thinly pounded chicken breast cutlets to ensure quick, even cooking.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spiciness to your preference.
The dish pairs well with rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Keywords: Spicy chicken, Sweet chicken, Chicken diablo, Pan-seared chicken, Spicy sweet sauce, Easy chicken recipe