Spicy Skillet Hoisin Chicken

Whenever you have a really busy day where you feel too tired to even think about cooking, I highly recommend reaching for this easy Skillet Hoisin Chicken. Your body will thank you for cooking at home instead of eating out! Plus, this chicken recipe is so easy to make that you'll have dinner on the table faster than it'll take ordering the takeout.

The secret to quick recipes like this is in the sauce. Instead of whipping up my own, requiring measuring, mincing, and whisking, I reach for a delicious jarred Hoisin sauce for the flavor. It's kind of like an Asian barbecue sauce that's a bit sweet, a bit savory, and a bit smoky. I love it!

Since I love all things spicy, I add some Asian garlic chili paste to this hoisin chicken recipe to kick things up - but it's completely optional.

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You can also easily add veggies to this dish. I would recommend cooking them first with a bit of oil before cooking the chicken. When you add the Hoisin, add the veggies back in so they stay nice and crispy.

Serve this spicy skillet chicken with some brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Mine came from the freezer on this busy night. Any shortcut that gets a healthy dinner on the table is fair game in my book!

Key Ingredients For Spicy Hoisin Chicken

It only takes a few ingredients to make this dish unforgettable. You are going to love this recipe!

Here is a bit more information about what I used.

• Chicken: There are lots of ways that you can prepare chicken. For busy nights, just toss some shredded rotisserie chicken slices in the Hoisin sauce. Or, cut up and cook some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You could also use chicken thighs or even pre-cooked frozen grilled chicken strips to make dinner even quicker.
• Ginger: I added some fresh ginger to my sauce because I love how it really elevates the taste. However, this is optional. In fact, you can use dried ginger powder instead of fresh ginger in a pinch.
• Hoisin Sauce: Use as much sauce as you need to cover the amount of chicken you prepare. You could make your own Hoisin sauce, but buying the jarred kind is such a time-saver.
• Asian Chili Garlic Paste: Either chili garlic paste or Sriracha are fantastic to add to the sauce if you want it to have some heat. You can also completely omit this if you want to keep this dish on the sweeter side.

Note: For a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this Hoisin chicken, take a look at the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Recipe Tips And Ideas

Follow these tips to make sure that this chicken turns out sweet and spicy every single time!

• If you are cooking your chicken, season it before you fry it in the pan. This will help it retain more flavor as it cooks.
• For even more flavor in the dish, marinate the chicken in a bit of Hoisin sauce.
• Saute fresh ginger before you add the Hoisin sauce to the skillet. This will bring out more of its flavor.
• Make this a full meal by cooking the veggies in the same pan that you will use for the chicken. Once they are tender crisp, set them on the side and add the chicken. Toss everything together at the end. Good options include cabbage, broccoli, sugar snap peas, or cauliflower. 

What To Serve With Hoisin Chicken

This chicken is the main course, so what sides do you add to it to make a complete meal? My favorite is healthy fried rice. It is packed with veggies and only takes 10 minutes to make, so it's just as easy as this chicken recipe.

If you prefer noodles to rice, then try making my healthy chicken lo mein. You can even add this Hoisin chicken to the noodles!

Your "takeout-inspired" dinner isn't complete without some skinny crab rangoons and baked egg rolls. Now, you've got a whole Asian feast, and you didn't even have to leave the house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers...

How do you store leftover Hoisin chicken?

Since you used chicken that isn't breaded, you can store this in an airtight container in your refrigerator and it will last for an entire week. It tastes really delicious heated up the next day.

Can you make this with different types of meat?

Yes, you definitely can make this with other types of meat. I love it with chicken, especially since chicken is such a light type of meat. This sauce also tastes amazing on pork loin, shrimp, fish, or even fried tofu.

Can you make this in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can make Hoisin chicken in the slow cooker! The only thing that changes is the texture of the chicken. The meat will soften as it cooks all day, and it won't stay in bite-sized chunks either. A benefit to making this in a crockpot is that the chicken will shred very easily.

To make it in the slow cooker, just add all the ingredients to your pot and cook it on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.

Is hoisin sauce low-carb?

No, hoisin sauce is not a low-carb condiment. Most types of Hoisin sauce are made with sugar as one of the main ingredients. Some use dried cane syrup, which is another form of sugar.

If you are trying to eat less sugar, I suggest making your own Hoisin sauce from a low-carb recipe.