Description
Fiery-sweet Chicken Diablo with perfectly seared chicken bathed in a devilishly addictive sauce. This one-pan dinner balances spicy heat with honey sweetness for an unforgettable meal ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
1. Remove chicken from refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Pat completely dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Add chicken without crowding and sear for 5-6 minutes on first side until golden brown. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes on second side. Remove to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to pan. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 45 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, honey, hot sauce, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir well, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 3-4 minutes.
6. Return chicken and juices to pan. Nestle into sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 8-10 minutes.
7. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to serving platter.
8. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer sauce uncovered for 2-3 minutes until desired consistency.
9. Stir butter and parsley into sauce. Pour over chicken and serve immediately.
Notes
Adjust heat level by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes and cayenne.
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts due to higher fat content.
Sauce flavors intensify overnight—leftovers are even better.
Freeze in sauce for up to 3 months.
Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the incredible sauce.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast or 2 thighs with sauce
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: chicken diablo, spicy chicken, weeknight dinner, one pan chicken, sweet and spicy chicken