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Spicy Sweet Crispy Chicken Diablo

Spicy Sweet Crispy Chicken Diablo - featured image
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A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring crispy fried chicken thighs coated in a spicy-sweet chipotle honey glaze that balances heat and sweetness perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup cornstarch (60g)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (30g)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 tablespoons chipotle hot sauce (e.g., Cholula), adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • About 2 cups vegetable oil (480ml) for frying
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro or green onions

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and pat dry. Cut into roughly 2-inch bite-sized pieces. (Prep time: 5 minutes)
  2. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss chicken pieces in the mixture until fully coated. Shake off excess.
  3. Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to about 1 inch depth. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F (175°C).
  4. Fry chicken in batches without crowding the pan, about 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Drain on a wire rack over a baking sheet. (Cook time: 15-20 minutes)
  5. In a small saucepan, whisk chipotle hot sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Warm gently over low heat until honey dissolves and sauce is smooth. Adjust heat or sweetness as desired. (Time: 5 minutes)
  6. Toss crispy chicken pieces in warm diablo sauce until evenly coated. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer to thicken. (Time: 3 minutes)
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro or green onions if desired.

Notes

Dry chicken thoroughly before coating to ensure crispiness. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) and fry in small batches to avoid soggy crust. Toss chicken in warm sauce immediately to keep crust crispy. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with rice or almond flour and ensure hot sauce is gluten-free. For extra crispiness, double-fry chicken or bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes on a wire rack.

Nutrition

Keywords: spicy chicken, crispy chicken, chicken diablo, weeknight dinner, fried chicken, chipotle honey glaze, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/spicy-sweet-crispy-chicken-diablo-recipe-perfect-for-easy-weeknight-dinner/