Description
Spicy Sweet Chicken Diablo is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender seared chicken thighs with a bold chipotle and pineapple sauce. This quick skillet recipe balances smoky heat with sweet notes, creating a dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Spicy Sweet Sauce
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely minced
- 1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can
- 1 small serrano or habanero pepper, deseeded and finely minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2-3 tablespoons honey or light brown sugar
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and cut it into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make the Spicy Sweet Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the finely minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, minced serrano or habanero pepper if using, red pepper flakes, pineapple juice, honey or brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Whisk thoroughly until well combined and the honey is dissolved.
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This slurry will be used to thicken the sauce later.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer and sear them for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Once seared, transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium and add more olive oil to the skillet if needed. Add minced garlic and grated fresh ginger to the pan and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, which will build the flavor base of the dish.
- Add Liquids and Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan; these add deep flavor. Then pour the prepared spicy sweet sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch slurry again to re-blend then slowly drizzle it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Finish Cooking the Chicken: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing them in the thickened sauce to coat evenly. Let everything simmer together for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and heated thoroughly.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by adding or reducing chipotle peppers and red pepper flakes.
- Use fresh pineapple juice for the best flavor, or high-quality canned juice if fresh is not available.
- For less sweetness, reduce honey or brown sugar by half.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- If you prefer boneless skinless chicken breast, cooking time may be shorter; watch closely to avoid overcooking.
