Spicy Caramel Chicken

Name: Spicy Caramel Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 49 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger; 4 cloves finely minced garlic; ¾ cup light brown sugar; ⅓ cup rice vinegar; ⅓ cup fish sauce; 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce, or to taste; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; ½ cup sliced, seeded jalapeno peppers; ½ cup sliced, seeded mild red chilies or bell peppers; ½ cup roasted peanuts; ½ cup chopped green onions, plus more for garnish; ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves; 4 cups cooked white rice

Rating: 4.72 stars

53 Ratings
44 Reviews
16 Photos

This is an updated version of one of my earliest and most popular recipes. This chicken is fast, easy, delicious and historically significant!

By Chef John

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Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

10 mins

additional:

24 mins

total:

49 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Whisk grated ginger, garlic, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fish sauce, hot sauce, and soy sauce together in a large bowl.

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Step 2

Place chicken chunks in a bowl. Pour 1/4 cup of the prepared sauce onto chicken chunks; mix until all chicken pieces are coated. Set aside 15 minutes.
Step 3

Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. As soon as oil starts to smoke, place chicken chunks in a single layer in the pan. Cook and stir until chicken pieces start to caramelize and turn deep brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in sliced jalapeno and red peppers, peanuts, and green onions. Cook and stir one minute. Pour in remainder of sauce. Simmer until heated through, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 4

Stir in cilantro. Serve over hot cooked rice and top with chopped green onions.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

1004 calories; protein 49.7g 99% DV; carbohydrates 93.6g 30% DV; fat 47.7g 73% DV; cholesterol 190.7mg 64% DV; sodium 1934.2mg 77% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (44)

Most helpful positive review

Alahna

11/29/2015

This is absolutely delicious and very easy to make. I made sure to use a cast iron skillet as I don't think the flavor would be quite there with a non-stick or thin pan. Used red peppers in mine as the other are not readily available to me. Boyfriend loved it. Recommend to watch the video to make sure you really "stay brave" and properly get the chicken caramelized:) - Will make this again and again! Thank you Chef John! Read More

Helpful

(8)

Most helpful critical review

Granny

06/24/2016

All the flavors are there but the saltiness overpowered everything and spoiled the dish.The only change I made was to cut back the heat. I used less hot sauce and substituted red peppers for the hot ones. The chicken was well caramalized and very tasty at that point. Read More

Helpful

(2)

53 Ratings

5 star values: 42
4 star values: 7
3 star values: 4
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Alahna

11/29/2015

Helpful

(8)

Marianne

03/09/2016

Delish! Yum! I left out the chili peppers (had to be careful for the other eater in my house) and the cilantro (didn't have it on hand) but otherwise I followed the recipe. I used a packet of boneless skinless chicken thighs from Costco which came to a pound so I cut the recipe in half. It was wonderful. I've made the original Caramel Chicken before so I knew this would be great. I highly recommend watching all of Chef John's videos if you are making something for the first time! Thanks Chef! Read More

Helpful

(5)

Mabunny63

09/29/2017

This is great didn't change anything and saw where others suggested to let the chicken cook the 8-10 minutes to get the caramel type coating. So just watch your temp and it will make a nice coating on the chicken. Read More

Helpful

(2)

kim

12/18/2017

This recipe has flavor! Often times when I come across recipes for stir fry types they are really bland. My spouse and I enjoy a lot of flavor and heat! My changes - I used 4 jalapenos instead of 2. Also I didn't have cilantro or green onions on hand so I used what I had which was a yellow onion. Totally worked! The next time I make it I will double the marinade so that we have more to add to rice for leftovers. Also I see others recommend using cast iron - I didn't but now I see why they suggested it. Yes use cast iron if you have it. Read More

Helpful

(2)

lallin87

02/16/2018

This is delicious. I've made it several times now for guests and they've all raved about it and it's my boyfriend's favorite dish that I make for him. I follow the recipe without any changes however I do find that I have to cook it for quite a bit longer than 8-10 minutes for the chicken to begin to caramelize. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Granny

06/23/2016

Helpful

(2)

Baking Nana

09/06/2015

HEE HAW! Oh boy this is spicy! I used peppers from my garden seeded and deveined. Sriracha for the hot sauce in the marinade. Sinus clearing but really good. Make sure to have plenty of rice to accompany this. Chef John has a recipe on this site 'Caramel Chicken' that is similar without the extreme heat. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Jennifer G

10/03/2015

Made according to the directions. I've never made a recipe from Chef John that I wasn't able to give 5 stars. My children ages 2-9 all ate seconds. Served Read More

Helpful

(1)

Terri Warren

01/17/2016

Wow. I made this exactly as directed and it knocked my socks off. This will definitely be on my favorite list - just right spicy full of flavor beautiful to look at. My 12 year old granddaughter was with us for dinner and she declared that this was going to be her new favorite for her birthday dinner. The trick really is letting the chicken get really really brown. You might think it is getting overdone but don't be afraid - it will turn out so well Read More

Helpful

(1)

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Nutritional Information

Spicy Caramel Chicken

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 1003.9

% Daily Value *

protein: 99 %

carbohydrates: 30 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 13 %

sugars:

fat: 73 %

saturated fat: 59 %

cholesterol: 64 %

vitamin a iu: 22 %

niacin equivalents: 151 %

vitamin b6: 64 %

vitamin c: 52 %

folate: 41 %

calcium: 11 %

iron: 30 %

magnesium: 51 %

potassium: 24 %

sodium: 77 %

thiamin: 52 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Spicy Caramel Chicken

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Alahna

11/29/2015

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(8)

Marianne

03/09/2016

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(5)

Mabunny63

09/29/2017

Helpful

(2)

kim

12/18/2017

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(2)

lallin87

02/16/2018

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(2)

Granny

06/23/2016

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(2)

Baking Nana

09/06/2015

Helpful

(2)

Jennifer G

10/03/2015

Made according to the directions. I've never made a recipe from Chef John that I wasn't able to give 5 stars. My children ages 2-9 all ate seconds. Served

Helpful

(1)

Terri Warren