Spicy Skillet Hoisin Chicken

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This hoisin chicken skillet recipe isn't just delicious, it's super fast and easy to make! With just 4 simple ingredients, dinner will be ready in less than 20 minutes.

239 CAL 10g CARBS 5g FAT 33g PROTEIN
8 Comments

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 to order the takeout. We also love this Chicken Stir Fry with homemade sauce for something less spicy.

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.

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!

Hoisin chicken breast served with white rice in a bowl with a beige napkin on the side.

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.

Chicken breast cooked in spicy hoisin sauce served in a bowl with steamed rice.

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.

Stir fried hoisin chicken chunks served with spicy sauce and white rice with extra hoisin sauce on the side.

The Recipe
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Spicy Skillet Hoisin Chicken

239 CAL 10g CARBS 5g FAT 33g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 10 Min
TOTAL TIME: 15 Min
8 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 2 tsp. vegetable oil
  • 1.33 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
  • 2 tsp. minced fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tsp. Asian chili garlic paste (or Sriracha to taste)
  • 2 tbsp. water

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Instructions

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1

Heat the oil over medium high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until all sides are browned and chicken is just cooked through.

Chicken breast chunks cooking in a skillet with salt and pepper.
2

Add the ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Add the Hoisin sauce, water, and Asian garlic chili paste. Stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1 minute and serve.

Hoisin sauce being stirred into a pan with chicken breast, garlic, and ginger.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 239
Calories from Fat 41
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g
6%
Saturated Fat 0g
2%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 75mg
25%
Sodium 501mg
22%
Total Carbohydrate 10g
3%
Dietary Fiber 1g
3%
Sugars 6g
Protein 33g

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

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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8 Comments
On Spicy Skillet Hoisin Chicken
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Stumamma
February 18, 2023 - 18:32
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5
I made this for my son. He came back saying it was great and asked me which restaurant I ordered it from! How's THAT for a compliment!?!
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Lewigie
April 17, 2020 - 15:28
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4
Fast, easy, tasty. Had it with rice. Will add sweet chili sauce next time.
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Gracel Jamroz
February 24, 2019 - 16:45
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5
Very easy and tasty..i served it over fried rice and fried eggs on the side.
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Angela Guna
March 14, 2017 - 14:54
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5
How have I made it 40 years without knowing about this recipe? So easy and delicious! This has even made it to my picky 9 year olds favorite dinners list!
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Freda Potter
January 23, 2017 - 15:55
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5
So easy, so fast, so good!!! The heat from the Asian chili sauce made it perfect. Served it with rice and Asian stir fry veggies.
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Rebecca Staed
February 24, 2016 - 12:42
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5
Great recipe and husband approved! Served over quinoa with string beans. Very tasty!
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Sarah Nau
February 17, 2016 - 19:18
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5
This was so quick and easy and tastes DIVINE! I used 1 t. of ginger paste instead of fresh. Served with brown rice and sugar snaps. A definite winner!
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April 6, 2016 - 13:54
Broccoli, sugar snap peas, asparagus, bok choy, or cabbage would all be delicious.
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