Baked Sweet & Spicy Chicken

Jump to Recipe ▼
Reader Rating
Total Time 30 minutes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Juicy and tender baked sweet & spicy chicken that comes together in 30 minutes with loads of flavor. 

After you’re hooked on this Baked Sweet and Spicy Chicken, you’ll wanna try Instant Pot Parmesan Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms, Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots, and Asparagus Stuffed Chicken.

close up of baked sweet & spicy chicken on a baking sheet.

Sometimes time gets away from me. It seems like every year my birthday sneaks up on me and suddenly I’m a year older and hardly even noticed. Quick disclaimer: It’s not my birthday. BUT….

It is this blog’s birthday. WOOT WOOT! That’s right, today is Creme de la Crumb’s birthday.

a hand pouring sauce on baked sweet & spicy chicken on a baking sheet with a spoon.

I won’t get all sentimental on you and tell you what this blog means to me (no but really, you have no idea what this blog means and YOU make it all possible so, THANK YOU) but we’re gonna celebrate with flavors I love so much. I love sweet things, and I really really love spicy things, but even more than that I border on obsessed with a good sweet + spicy combo – bring those two flavor nuances together and it’s pure magic in my mouth.

baked sweet & spicy chicken on a baking sheet.

This chicken is quickly browned on the stove, then brushed with sauce and transferred to the oven to be baked to juicy perfection. After that it’s just another smothering of that sweet and spicy sauce and then straight to the dinner table!

Happy Birthday Creme de la Crumb and thank you for sticking around to indulge in all this yummy goodness with me, you guys really are the BEST.

close up of baked sweet & spicy chicken.

What people are saying about this Baked Sweet & Spicy Chicken

“K just made this tonight for dinner and HOLY WOW! My husband dubbed this his new favorite sauce ever. It’s so good. I made it with Sriracha (the only hot sauce I had) and added red peppers for more spice and it was hot but sooo tasty!” – Tiffany

“This may be our new family favorite. The sauce also caught the attention of my picky 10-year-old and has encouraged her to try new recipes. Super excited to taste more. Thanks a million!” – Tracy

“I made this for my entire family last night and they ALL LOVED IT! My husband told me it might be one of the best meals I’ve ever made him (And I’m a pretty good cook!) My mother in law told me to make sure i save the recipe. It was so easy to make, i put it over some rice and it was a total hit!!” – Sarah

“Best sauce EVERRRRR!! My son could not get enough!!! Thanks for sharing this!” – Nicole

Hungry for more? Try my Best Baked Chicken Breasts recipe next!

Baked Sweet & Spicy Chicken | Creme de la Crumb
4.98 from 126 votes

Baked Sweet & Spicy Chicken

Juicy and tender baked sweet & spicy chicken that comes together in 30 minutes with loads of flavor.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
  • salt and pepper to taste

Sauce

  • cup brown sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar , (you could substitute white vinegar)
  • cup water

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a large baking sheet (with a raised side) or casserole dish.
  • In a medium sauce pan whisk together all sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 3-4 minutes. While sauce is boiling, season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides, grease a skillet and cook chicken on both sides 1-2 minutes over medium heat, just enough to brown the very outside.
  • Arrange chicken in a single layer (not overlapping) on prepared baking sheet. Brush with sauce. (there should still be plenty of sauce leftover – reserve for later). Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Pour remaining sauce over the chicken and serve hot.

Notes

Hot sauce: Frank’s hot sauce is a favorite of mine – great flavor and just enough heat!

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 896mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a star rating or comment below!
Tiffany of Creme de la Crumb in the kitchen

Welcome!

Hey there, I’m Tiffany – chef, photographer, mother, and avid taco eater. I am passionate about turning simple flavors and ingredients into tasty meals the whole family will love, with minimal prep and cleanup so there’s more time to spend eating and enjoying. Stay awhile, and help yourself to a taco or two!

More Recipes To Love

4.98 from 126 votes (84 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




142 Comments

  1. Elaine Jacoby says:

    5 stars
    What I liked about this meal is that it was quite simple to make and it was a great little meal !!! Thanks Elaine Jacoby

    1. Tiffany says:

      I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  2. Amanda Roberts says:

    I think I’ve submitted a review the first time I made this but that was long ago! This is STILL a family staple in my home. This is a favorite go too. Another thing I like to do is cut the chicken in pieces or shred it so the juice gets on all the chicken more and I always double the sauce recipe! LOVE LOVE LOVE

  3. Josiah Adams says:

    5 stars
    Could we put seasoning on it

    1. Tiffany says:

      Of course! 🙂

  4. Stephanie says:

    5 stars
    Making tomorrow night were excited! Been wanting a simple sweet and spicy chicken!

  5. Johanna says:

    5 stars
    Yum!!

  6. Stilyan says:

    I tried the recipe and it tastes very good but what does brown the chicken mean golden brown or until it is barely cooked because i did mine until golden brown and they got overcooked in the oven

    1. Tiffany says:

      You brown it for about a minute or so or wait until it’s the color you want it when it’s done. Next time, you can try cooking it in the oven for less time, but of course making sure it’s completely cooked when it’s done.

  7. Janet says:

    5 stars
    This is a delicious recipe. My husband and I have this at least every other week. Sometimes we thicken the remaining sauce by simply simmering it for a bit. And we always top with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. We love to use a Mexican sugar called piloncillo. It is basically an unrefined sugar that contains all the molasses. Really knocks it out of the park. Thanks for such a fabulous recipe.