Flavorful Spicy Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe Easy for Chicken and Shrimp
A quick and easy spicy honey garlic sauce that adds a perfect balance of sweet and heat to chicken and shrimp, making every bite juicy and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil (optional)
- Splash of water or chicken broth to thin sauce if needed
Instructions
- Mince 3 to 4 cloves of fresh garlic finely.
- In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red chili flakes, and sesame oil. Stir until well blended.
- Place a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the garlic. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Dip a spoon into the sauce to test consistency; it should coat the back nicely but still be pourable. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth and stir.
- Cook 1 pound (450 g) of thinly sliced chicken breasts or thighs in a separate pan until golden and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes), or cook peeled and deveined shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Add the cooked chicken or shrimp to the sauce pan. Toss gently to coat evenly and heat for 1-2 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or alongside steamed veggies.
Notes
Add chili flakes gradually to control heat. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Keep heat moderate and stir often to avoid burning garlic. Sauce can be reheated gently with a splash of water if it thickens too much. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. For vegan version, replace honey with agave nectar or brown rice syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of sauce with 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 1.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.2
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 0.2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: spicy honey garlic sauce, chicken sauce, shrimp sauce, easy sauce recipe, quick dinner sauce, sweet and spicy sauce