Chicken breast with sweet and spicy sauce

Chicken Breast with Sweet and Spicy Sauce

When I have chicken breast in the fridge and I'm thinking about a light meal, I usually try this recipe. The chicken breast cut in half, some sauces on hand, and a few spices – there are no complicated steps, and in the end, you have something that looks great on the table without needing too many dishes or time spent by the oven. Serve it with a simple salad, and dinner is sorted.

Quick Info

Total Time: about 1 hour
Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes
Baking Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 2
Difficulty: easy
Recipe Type: light lunch or dinner

Ingredients

1 boneless chicken breast (about 400-500g)
tomato juice (a few tablespoons, to taste)
1 glass of white wine (about 150 ml)
soy sauce (to taste; I use very little)
sweet and spicy sauce (to taste)
salt
pepper
dried basil
salad (I used Chinese cabbage)
cherry tomatoes

Instructions

1. Wash and clean the chicken breast. I cut it in half lengthwise so it cooks more evenly.
2. Sprinkle salt (very little if using soy sauce), pepper, and dried basil over the chicken.
3. Place the chicken pieces in an oven-safe dish.
4. Pour a few tablespoons of tomato juice over the top. It should be just enough to lightly cover the chicken.
5. Drizzle each piece with soy sauce and sweet and spicy sauce. The amount depends on your preference; I don’t overdo it with either.
6. Add the glass of white wine to the dish, alongside the meat.
7. Sprinkle a little more basil on top if I feel like I want a stronger flavor.
8. Place the dish in the oven at 180°C for 45 minutes. I don’t open the oven during baking.
9. When it’s done, I take the chicken out and let it rest for 2-3 minutes. I slice each piece thickly, being careful not to break them.
10. I serve it with a salad of Chinese cabbage and cherry tomatoes while the chicken is still warm.

Why I Make This Recipe Often

It’s quick to prepare, there aren’t many steps, and the ingredients are simple. I like that there’s no frying involved, and the taste is balanced – not too sweet, not too salty. It works well when I want something light for dinner.

Tips and Variations

Tips

- Don’t add too much salt if you’re using soy sauce; it’s enough.
- If you’re using a thicker chicken breast, cut it lengthwise for even cooking.
- The tomato juice should be plain, without added sugar or spices.
- If the chicken seems dry halfway through, you can add a little more wine or water.

Substitutions

- You can use another type of salad depending on what you have on hand.
- Iceberg lettuce works too; it doesn’t have to be Chinese cabbage.
- Instead of chicken breast, you can use boneless thighs, but the baking time may increase slightly.
- Sweet and spicy sauce can be found in supermarkets, but if you don’t have it, you can use a bit of ketchup and chili flakes.

Variations

- If you want a stronger flavor, add a little grated garlic before baking.
- For a thicker sauce, you can leave the dish uncovered during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- You can sprinkle parsley or green onions on top at the end if you have them on hand.

Serving Ideas

- Sliced chicken over salad goes well with a few slices of fresh bread.
- You can wrap it in a flatbread with salad for a quick sandwich.
- If you have leftover sauce in the dish, you can pour it over the meat or the side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen chicken breast?
Yes, but you need to thaw it and pat it dry with paper before cooking.

2. Is it necessary to add white wine?
The wine gives a pleasant flavor and helps tenderize the meat, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can add a little water.

3. How much sweet and spicy sauce should I use?
It depends on how intense you want the flavor. I use about a tablespoon for two pieces of breast, but everyone can adjust to their taste.

4. Can the recipe be made with already cooked or fried chicken?
Yes, but the result will be different in texture. Freshly baked chicken absorbs the flavors of the sauces better.

5. What type of white wine is suitable?
Any dry or off-dry white wine without strong flavors.

Nutritional Values

Approximate values per serving (for 2 servings):

Calories: 350-400 kcal
Protein: 35-40 g
Carbohydrates: 7-12 g (depending on the amount of sauce and salad)
Fats: 7-10 g
The sauces add a few calories, but most come from the meat. It’s a meal with quite low fats and carbohydrates, especially if you choose a simple salad as a side.

Storage and Reheating

If there’s leftover chicken, I can keep it in the fridge in a covered container for up to 2 days. I reheat it in the microwave or oven, but it’s best on the day it’s made, especially since chicken breast tends to dry out if left too long. I always prepare the salad fresh; I don’t keep it with the chicken.

 Ingredients: 1 boneless chicken breast, tomato juice, 1 glass of white wine, soy sauce, sweet and spicy sauce, salt, pepper, basil, salad, cherry tomatoes

 Tags:  chicken with sweet and spicy sauce chicken recipes sweet-spicy chicken spice